Whatever happens, we will be faced with a disorienting and dispiriting aftermath. I look forward to reading your pieces to make sense of it, or at least to challenge my own opinions.
> Another experience that shifted my perspective was writing a draft novel set in Boston in the late 1760s, just before the American Revolution. It was about an apprentice at the Boston Gazette who got swept up in the Sons of Liberty movement. I was curious how people went from regarding themselves as British-American citizens to American revolutionaries.
I found this part intriguing but I could not understand how you were using this analogy. Are you saying that your personality and code of ethics would have made you into a British loyalist in the American revolutionary era?
Not exactly because the situations are not comparable. In an early draft of this post, I had included some additional context but cut it at the last min. Here it is:
I wrote a crappy draft novel about the Sons of Liberty in Boston from 1765 to 1770. I wanted to understand how Samuel Adams, John Adams, and others went from viewing themselves as loyal British-Americans to American revolutionaries. Every historical fiction speaks to the current moment and, for me, writing that shitty draft novel was my way of asking: Was insurrectionism justified in today's America? My conclusion was a clear “no.”
Unlike the Sons of Liberty, who faced an unrepresentative colonial rule, contemporary Americans have democratic institutions and legal means to address grievances. While flawed, our system works. I concluded that America needs reform, not revolution.
I don’t see authoritarianism in Trump’s approach to his work as president during his first term. Why would he be different in his second term. He respected the authority of both branches of Congress and openly lobbied as past presidents have.
The demonization issue is two sided not just a Republican fault. Beginning with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker when she held weekly press conferences bashing George Bush, it continues today and has spread throughout media outlets.
The goal Nancy and Chuck Schumer is democrat party national dominance such as we have in California. They have since Obama years been trying to open the borders to recruit New Democrats to the party. This an authoritarian violation of the constitution. But they are succeeding and another 4 years the current 13 million illegals will double to 26 million.
My view is the constitution is seriously being threatened and Harris will rule by unconstitutional orders just like Biden did.
There's no substantive argument here, John. I do believe the left poses threats to democracy and am sympathetic to those who weigh things differently than I do. However, the threat posed by Trump — a felon with more legal issues to come — is immediate and acute. It's frankly shocking he's able to run for President; if our legal system moved faster, I doubt he would be.
Whatever happens, we will be faced with a disorienting and dispiriting aftermath. I look forward to reading your pieces to make sense of it, or at least to challenge my own opinions.
Thanks Drake. I just hope the results are clear and minimize ambiguity. Wishful thinking, I realize.
Hi Jeff ! Couldnt agree With u More ❤️
Thanks Jaana!
> Another experience that shifted my perspective was writing a draft novel set in Boston in the late 1760s, just before the American Revolution. It was about an apprentice at the Boston Gazette who got swept up in the Sons of Liberty movement. I was curious how people went from regarding themselves as British-American citizens to American revolutionaries.
I found this part intriguing but I could not understand how you were using this analogy. Are you saying that your personality and code of ethics would have made you into a British loyalist in the American revolutionary era?
Not exactly because the situations are not comparable. In an early draft of this post, I had included some additional context but cut it at the last min. Here it is:
I wrote a crappy draft novel about the Sons of Liberty in Boston from 1765 to 1770. I wanted to understand how Samuel Adams, John Adams, and others went from viewing themselves as loyal British-Americans to American revolutionaries. Every historical fiction speaks to the current moment and, for me, writing that shitty draft novel was my way of asking: Was insurrectionism justified in today's America? My conclusion was a clear “no.”
Unlike the Sons of Liberty, who faced an unrepresentative colonial rule, contemporary Americans have democratic institutions and legal means to address grievances. While flawed, our system works. I concluded that America needs reform, not revolution.
Did Mike write you back?
I don’t see authoritarianism in Trump’s approach to his work as president during his first term. Why would he be different in his second term. He respected the authority of both branches of Congress and openly lobbied as past presidents have.
The demonization issue is two sided not just a Republican fault. Beginning with Nancy Pelosi as Speaker when she held weekly press conferences bashing George Bush, it continues today and has spread throughout media outlets.
The goal Nancy and Chuck Schumer is democrat party national dominance such as we have in California. They have since Obama years been trying to open the borders to recruit New Democrats to the party. This an authoritarian violation of the constitution. But they are succeeding and another 4 years the current 13 million illegals will double to 26 million.
My view is the constitution is seriously being threatened and Harris will rule by unconstitutional orders just like Biden did.
John
There's no substantive argument here, John. I do believe the left poses threats to democracy and am sympathetic to those who weigh things differently than I do. However, the threat posed by Trump — a felon with more legal issues to come — is immediate and acute. It's frankly shocking he's able to run for President; if our legal system moved faster, I doubt he would be.