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.)
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.
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
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.
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.)
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
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
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.
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!