Even the dullards of local “happy talk” news recognized that there’s now a major feeling of disintegration in the United States. Partisanship has reached such extraordinary levels that Serious People question whether a civil war is possible. Since the election of Bill Clinton, the number of Democrats and Republicans who have a “very unfavorable” view of the other party has climbed to well above 50 percent in both parties. Americans now see each other - not Russia, not China - as the country’s worst enemy. Most Democrats came to the conclusion that the world leader who posed “the greatest threat to peace and security” to the U.S. was Donald Trump. In January 2021, his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempted coup to overturn the 2020 presidential election, or - as they claimed, to restore the election after its “theft.”
Wow. I made a comment today on the other Substack before reading this. Always in an effort to promote what I think democracy is about. I’ve always taught my students over the years the same following lesson about conflict resolution….to paraphrase…”our classroom is a small picture of democracy. That is really fortunate because it allows us to be opponents and adversaries. We can argue, we can debate, we can come to a draw or a resolve. What it does not permit is for us to become enemies. Because then we have to go to war which excuses the death of our enemy. Let’s never let it get to that. So let’s know the real enemy is not each other. The real enemy is greed. Let’s figure out as a community that abundance is what has always been intended for us. All of us.”
My classrooms have always been famous for comraderie and figuring out a way to move forward as a group.
I’ve always tried to show my students that only Light is real. There is no opposite except what is made up in the minds of the greedy.
Kids instantly understand it. I insist that adults remember it.
Really a historic essay, TC. Showing us the way. I salute you with Love!
America's kryptonite has always been how willingly large numbers of its denizens have engaged in self-deception and false narratives. We look in the mirror and see something that is not reality. We have MAGA dysmorphia.
What an informative piece of writing TC. You laid out how nothing is what it seems at first glance. As situations are examined, what often emerges from the shadows is that someone or some group is using the situation for its own benefit and to the detriment of others.
I hope America can avoid a second civil war. It will take major intervention by the gods.
The Brits are like this too. Attack them and they are unified. After WWII, they turned on each other and have proceeded to wreck their country. Have you read or watched The Russia House? LeCarre' s protagonists escape with their lives and the document they risked their lives for, proving that Russians lack any offensive capabilities is buried deep because the military industrial complex doesn't want to know.
This came at 2 am. I did not read it then as it is not go-to-sleep material, it is now 9:30.
Thanks, TC. That does sharpen the image. Unfortunately, we seem to be well down that road to Macchiavellian idleness and peace. Perhaps a miraculous threat will come along to save us. What fools we are!
TC, just a note to tell you that my nephew(age 24) was thrilled to get your books for Christmas. All 4 arrived in time, thank goodness!. It is a kind of generativity, I think, for your work to be reaching that age group!! Hope all is well with you all and all the best for the New Year! Thank you.
This was a sobering read. As already noted by others, it would seem that the entire globe has two very real threats they COULD martial their survival instincts to combat: climate and the pandemic.
Wow. I made a comment today on the other Substack before reading this. Always in an effort to promote what I think democracy is about. I’ve always taught my students over the years the same following lesson about conflict resolution….to paraphrase…”our classroom is a small picture of democracy. That is really fortunate because it allows us to be opponents and adversaries. We can argue, we can debate, we can come to a draw or a resolve. What it does not permit is for us to become enemies. Because then we have to go to war which excuses the death of our enemy. Let’s never let it get to that. So let’s know the real enemy is not each other. The real enemy is greed. Let’s figure out as a community that abundance is what has always been intended for us. All of us.”
My classrooms have always been famous for comraderie and figuring out a way to move forward as a group.
I’ve always tried to show my students that only Light is real. There is no opposite except what is made up in the minds of the greedy.
Kids instantly understand it. I insist that adults remember it.
Really a historic essay, TC. Showing us the way. I salute you with Love!
Happy New Year, Comrades!
✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
A fascinating piece, TC. Thank you!
America's kryptonite has always been how willingly large numbers of its denizens have engaged in self-deception and false narratives. We look in the mirror and see something that is not reality. We have MAGA dysmorphia.
What an informative piece of writing TC. You laid out how nothing is what it seems at first glance. As situations are examined, what often emerges from the shadows is that someone or some group is using the situation for its own benefit and to the detriment of others.
I hope America can avoid a second civil war. It will take major intervention by the gods.
The Brits are like this too. Attack them and they are unified. After WWII, they turned on each other and have proceeded to wreck their country. Have you read or watched The Russia House? LeCarre' s protagonists escape with their lives and the document they risked their lives for, proving that Russians lack any offensive capabilities is buried deep because the military industrial complex doesn't want to know.
This came at 2 am. I did not read it then as it is not go-to-sleep material, it is now 9:30.
According to The New Yorker, we’re watching one right now, an external enemy, that is… https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/01/03/the-looming-threat-of-a-nuclear-crisis-with-iran
Thanks, TC. That does sharpen the image. Unfortunately, we seem to be well down that road to Macchiavellian idleness and peace. Perhaps a miraculous threat will come along to save us. What fools we are!
Wowza, thanks, TC
TC, thanks for this. Looking forward to part 2 you promised Fern!
...too bad the climate catastrophe couldn't be the focus
TC, just a note to tell you that my nephew(age 24) was thrilled to get your books for Christmas. All 4 arrived in time, thank goodness!. It is a kind of generativity, I think, for your work to be reaching that age group!! Hope all is well with you all and all the best for the New Year! Thank you.
This was a sobering read. As already noted by others, it would seem that the entire globe has two very real threats they COULD martial their survival instincts to combat: climate and the pandemic.
This essay brings events into sharper focus for me, much closer to the truth than I could figure out for myself. Glad to be on board with you, TC.
What about the pandemic's effects on the divide?
Very informative. Makes sense. Look forward to Part 2. ❤️🤍💙
An astonishing read TC. Looking forward to Part 2.