When Trump was elected in 2016, a friend of mine said "He won't last 6 months." Six months later, she said stoutly, "The Constitution will hold." I pointed out to her that the Constitution is only paper, and that paper is only as good as the people who keep their oaths to uphold it. Luckily for her, she died before the end of Trump's first term, still believing that "the Constitution will hold." But swearing an oath means very little if the person swearing doesn't believe in oaths in the first place. And it means nothing at all if the person swearing is governed by greed, grievance, and a psyche wounded so deeply by lack of love and nurturing that there will never be enough of anything to fill the tremendous void inside of him. As for us--the people he "governs"--it is time for us to rage against the dying of the light because if we do not, it will not be only the light that will be dying.
Thank you for this, Elizabeth. You captured something most people still refuse to see: paper doesn’t defend a nation...people do. Oaths mean nothing when greed and grievance hollow out the soul. What you wrote hits like truth usually does...quietly...then all at once. And yes, it’s time to rage...not out of hate...but out of love for what’s worth saving.
To borrow from General Omar Bradley (first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), it seems to me that this administration, though riddled with christian nationalists has “rejected the sermon on the mount”.
You’re absolutely right to invoke Bradley, Mary. His warning was timeless...and it fits like a glove here. For all their talk of faith...this administration has indeed rejected the Sermon on the Mount. They worship power...not principle...and that’s always how nations lose their soul.
As soon as I started reading this the Milgram experiments came to mind. Appreciate the more detailed retelling. I’ve been citing this for years to the same empty room. And when I saw the impressive video of one officer in full regalia telling no, growling to us that he’d tell Trump to fuck off and take his illegal orders with him. (OK, so it’s not an exact quote. Or even a quote.) Though it was impressive, I thought of the 65% of his colleagues who would likely take that path of least resistance.
Exactly. Milgram’s ghost is still walking among us, Randy. That 65% isn’t a statistic...it’s a mirror. One loud...defiant officer makes headlines; the quiet compliance of the rest makes history. You’ve been shouting truth into that “empty room,” but it’s starting to echo now. Keep shouting.
The Most centering experiences I've ever had have come from accepting what is in front of me. That's the only way I can truly and correctly deal with whatever that reality is. For that to happen, people must have a clear look at what that reality is. That's the only way real, authentic preparation of the mind, spirit, and emotions takes place.
I’ll be looking forward to your views on this. I finally caved and took a mental health day Sunday and instead of “what’d I miss?” it was more like “thanks, I needed that”. (which of course was undone in about ten minutes this morning.) But way better than had I not. So yes indeed, your take on self-care and (as always how to best move forward) will be most welcome.
I might be on the right track. Much to my continuing surprise, I came to grips with the new reality almost immediately and while resentful, still buoyed. (Too much Cormac McCarthy, probably.) While frustrated at the lack of actions available to some of us, especially at the beginning, it did seem to make a lot more sense to my reptile brain as it began to coalesce into acceptance, diligence, and waiting for the rest of the country to catch up. I’m still waiting, but it’s closer. (And still shouting.)
What this really comes down to is (military) will look out for themselves rather than the country - but I hope they will realize that the argument of
“I was just following orders” does not relieve them from accountability under the rule of law (as the Nuremberg trials showed) - I hope they keep that in mind
I know, Vivian It is scary. And it should be. But here’s the thing: fear means you still care... still see what’s at stake...still feel the pull to protect what matters.
That’s strength...not weakness. The people who’ll help this country through what’s coming aren’t the ones without fear...they’re the ones who feel it...face it...and keep going anyway. Just like you have been doing ...already.
This is a we will see…officers with West Point, Annapolis, and Air Force academy training have been schooled in this as part of their oath to the Constitution…(thinking of this scenario as part of lessons learned at the Hanoi Hilton)
A couple of sentences in, I thought about the Stanford Prison Experiment. And then you wrote about it.
Jack, the two most chilling statements you made in this article were:
- "Ordinary people can commit extraordinary evil when they believe the responsibility belongs to someone else."
- and "The uniform amplifies obedience…it doesn’t restrain it."
This was eye-opening to me.
I'm thinking now about "internal moral clarity" and how we develop it. I've been a person who questions "authority early and often" for as long as I can remember. I'll have to reflect on the degree to which I possess the remainder of the characteristics for building internal resistance.
Yes! I’ve been known to buck a trend or two and hold out for the answer if I feel like someone’s withholding or trying to get away with subverting. You can ask my mom or a few of my past employers. (These employers kept me, btw.)
One thing to keep in mind regarding the military is that there is a chain of command for every action that’s taken - and there should be a record of who gave orders and who followed orders if they were illegal - if they choose to follow illegal orders, there should be an immediate request for freedom of information regarding the orders in the chain of command
I’m not as concerned about those with actual military training as about the Gestapo- The guys in newly purchased camo, or still jeans and sneakers, who are donnie’s personal goon squad. They have no training, no qualifications except willingness to commit assault and battery against the population of their own country. They were issued assault weapons that they point at those recording their actions, or hit people over the head with. I’m been so gratified to see folks in occupied cities refusing them service in their stores and restaurants. I hope folks are also boycotting businesses that do serve them. 👹
For the oath to hold it needs to be actualized now. The military decision makers must get together and determine a strategy to deal with unconstitutional orders as a united front. IF those at the top don't say no it will be virtually impossible to get those down the chain to respect the oath. Generals have done it before, they can do it again. The farther down the chain the harder it becomes. Consider the Boston Massacre, Kent State, young soldiers confronted with a frightening situation could not maintain control, the oath does nothing in that situation.
I believe the current activities in cities are designed to foment backlash so Trump can invoke the insurrection act and take tighter control. The objective is the 2026 election.
When Trump was elected in 2016, a friend of mine said "He won't last 6 months." Six months later, she said stoutly, "The Constitution will hold." I pointed out to her that the Constitution is only paper, and that paper is only as good as the people who keep their oaths to uphold it. Luckily for her, she died before the end of Trump's first term, still believing that "the Constitution will hold." But swearing an oath means very little if the person swearing doesn't believe in oaths in the first place. And it means nothing at all if the person swearing is governed by greed, grievance, and a psyche wounded so deeply by lack of love and nurturing that there will never be enough of anything to fill the tremendous void inside of him. As for us--the people he "governs"--it is time for us to rage against the dying of the light because if we do not, it will not be only the light that will be dying.
Thank you for this, Elizabeth. You captured something most people still refuse to see: paper doesn’t defend a nation...people do. Oaths mean nothing when greed and grievance hollow out the soul. What you wrote hits like truth usually does...quietly...then all at once. And yes, it’s time to rage...not out of hate...but out of love for what’s worth saving.
-Jack
To borrow from General Omar Bradley (first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), it seems to me that this administration, though riddled with christian nationalists has “rejected the sermon on the mount”.
You’re absolutely right to invoke Bradley, Mary. His warning was timeless...and it fits like a glove here. For all their talk of faith...this administration has indeed rejected the Sermon on the Mount. They worship power...not principle...and that’s always how nations lose their soul.
-Jack
Thank you, Jack.
As soon as I started reading this the Milgram experiments came to mind. Appreciate the more detailed retelling. I’ve been citing this for years to the same empty room. And when I saw the impressive video of one officer in full regalia telling no, growling to us that he’d tell Trump to fuck off and take his illegal orders with him. (OK, so it’s not an exact quote. Or even a quote.) Though it was impressive, I thought of the 65% of his colleagues who would likely take that path of least resistance.
Exactly. Milgram’s ghost is still walking among us, Randy. That 65% isn’t a statistic...it’s a mirror. One loud...defiant officer makes headlines; the quiet compliance of the rest makes history. You’ve been shouting truth into that “empty room,” but it’s starting to echo now. Keep shouting.
The Most centering experiences I've ever had have come from accepting what is in front of me. That's the only way I can truly and correctly deal with whatever that reality is. For that to happen, people must have a clear look at what that reality is. That's the only way real, authentic preparation of the mind, spirit, and emotions takes place.
(More on this tomorrow)
-Jack
I’ll be looking forward to your views on this. I finally caved and took a mental health day Sunday and instead of “what’d I miss?” it was more like “thanks, I needed that”. (which of course was undone in about ten minutes this morning.) But way better than had I not. So yes indeed, your take on self-care and (as always how to best move forward) will be most welcome.
I might be on the right track. Much to my continuing surprise, I came to grips with the new reality almost immediately and while resentful, still buoyed. (Too much Cormac McCarthy, probably.) While frustrated at the lack of actions available to some of us, especially at the beginning, it did seem to make a lot more sense to my reptile brain as it began to coalesce into acceptance, diligence, and waiting for the rest of the country to catch up. I’m still waiting, but it’s closer. (And still shouting.)
Looking forward to it.
It’s sad.
What this really comes down to is (military) will look out for themselves rather than the country - but I hope they will realize that the argument of
“I was just following orders” does not relieve them from accountability under the rule of law (as the Nuremberg trials showed) - I hope they keep that in mind
OMG! THIS is damn scary😢
I know, Vivian It is scary. And it should be. But here’s the thing: fear means you still care... still see what’s at stake...still feel the pull to protect what matters.
That’s strength...not weakness. The people who’ll help this country through what’s coming aren’t the ones without fear...they’re the ones who feel it...face it...and keep going anyway. Just like you have been doing ...already.
-Jack
This is a we will see…officers with West Point, Annapolis, and Air Force academy training have been schooled in this as part of their oath to the Constitution…(thinking of this scenario as part of lessons learned at the Hanoi Hilton)
A couple of sentences in, I thought about the Stanford Prison Experiment. And then you wrote about it.
Jack, the two most chilling statements you made in this article were:
- "Ordinary people can commit extraordinary evil when they believe the responsibility belongs to someone else."
- and "The uniform amplifies obedience…it doesn’t restrain it."
This was eye-opening to me.
I'm thinking now about "internal moral clarity" and how we develop it. I've been a person who questions "authority early and often" for as long as I can remember. I'll have to reflect on the degree to which I possess the remainder of the characteristics for building internal resistance.
Yes! I’ve been known to buck a trend or two and hold out for the answer if I feel like someone’s withholding or trying to get away with subverting. You can ask my mom or a few of my past employers. (These employers kept me, btw.)
I’m sick at the thought of these bastards being cheered on by maga, who tweet “ that’s what I voted for” with absolute glee!
One thing to keep in mind regarding the military is that there is a chain of command for every action that’s taken - and there should be a record of who gave orders and who followed orders if they were illegal - if they choose to follow illegal orders, there should be an immediate request for freedom of information regarding the orders in the chain of command
Resulting in legal penalties
I’m not as concerned about those with actual military training as about the Gestapo- The guys in newly purchased camo, or still jeans and sneakers, who are donnie’s personal goon squad. They have no training, no qualifications except willingness to commit assault and battery against the population of their own country. They were issued assault weapons that they point at those recording their actions, or hit people over the head with. I’m been so gratified to see folks in occupied cities refusing them service in their stores and restaurants. I hope folks are also boycotting businesses that do serve them. 👹
For the oath to hold it needs to be actualized now. The military decision makers must get together and determine a strategy to deal with unconstitutional orders as a united front. IF those at the top don't say no it will be virtually impossible to get those down the chain to respect the oath. Generals have done it before, they can do it again. The farther down the chain the harder it becomes. Consider the Boston Massacre, Kent State, young soldiers confronted with a frightening situation could not maintain control, the oath does nothing in that situation.
I believe the current activities in cities are designed to foment backlash so Trump can invoke the insurrection act and take tighter control. The objective is the 2026 election.