Thank you for this. It is a wonderfully human account.
I'm on your side when it comes to building bridges and lowering tensions. I love your emphasis on keeping a family together in the middle of it all. But I don't think I agree with the claim that "democracy only dies when we collectively give up on it". I don't think that's what happened when Hitler or Mussolini or Salazar ended their democracies. Many people hadn't given up, but their voices weren't counted.
Given many of Trump's own public pronouncements and actions, I think it is a reasonable fear that he might try to end or at least severely curtail American electoral democracy (though I think he would be likely to fail in the attempt). I also think political violence is abhorrent, and harmful to democracy in its own way - but in this case at least, with the shooter a registered Republican, it does not seem likely that alarmed rhetoric about Trump is to blame.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply! It's an interesting point about Hitler, Mussolini, etc. and I think you're right. While I tend to think Trump is more showman than a genuine threat of dictatorship, I agree that we have to be vigilant and concerned about who gets elected because rolling back our free speech rights could lead to the crumbling of democracy even if the people have not given up on it.
Just to say, that line did stick out to me, too. I think the gerrymandering that’s taken place over the past several decades has lent itself to a very confused electorate when thinking about what our democratic republic even means.
The “showman,” “tv star” characterization has always stood out to me, when most forms of political leadership—from Hitler to high school government—is rooted in the rhetoric of public address. Sleepy Abe Lincoln wasn’t much liked for his public demeanor and general inability to lead with masculine charisma. Nixon lost to Kennedy in large part because of performance. See, also, the recent attacks on Biden’s performance.
This all said, what I gathered from your article was a call to not give in to apathy and to prioritize what’s important. The personal is political. And even if we don’t agree on everything, some things transcend the 24 hour news cycle. Like love and Mountain Dew. 💙🤘
I came across this now and it's beautiful.
Thank you for this. It is a wonderfully human account.
I'm on your side when it comes to building bridges and lowering tensions. I love your emphasis on keeping a family together in the middle of it all. But I don't think I agree with the claim that "democracy only dies when we collectively give up on it". I don't think that's what happened when Hitler or Mussolini or Salazar ended their democracies. Many people hadn't given up, but their voices weren't counted.
Given many of Trump's own public pronouncements and actions, I think it is a reasonable fear that he might try to end or at least severely curtail American electoral democracy (though I think he would be likely to fail in the attempt). I also think political violence is abhorrent, and harmful to democracy in its own way - but in this case at least, with the shooter a registered Republican, it does not seem likely that alarmed rhetoric about Trump is to blame.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply! It's an interesting point about Hitler, Mussolini, etc. and I think you're right. While I tend to think Trump is more showman than a genuine threat of dictatorship, I agree that we have to be vigilant and concerned about who gets elected because rolling back our free speech rights could lead to the crumbling of democracy even if the people have not given up on it.
Just to say, that line did stick out to me, too. I think the gerrymandering that’s taken place over the past several decades has lent itself to a very confused electorate when thinking about what our democratic republic even means.
The “showman,” “tv star” characterization has always stood out to me, when most forms of political leadership—from Hitler to high school government—is rooted in the rhetoric of public address. Sleepy Abe Lincoln wasn’t much liked for his public demeanor and general inability to lead with masculine charisma. Nixon lost to Kennedy in large part because of performance. See, also, the recent attacks on Biden’s performance.
This all said, what I gathered from your article was a call to not give in to apathy and to prioritize what’s important. The personal is political. And even if we don’t agree on everything, some things transcend the 24 hour news cycle. Like love and Mountain Dew. 💙🤘
There’s so much heart here. Thank you for this piece. I’m glad your family is ok.