Multiconstruct

To be in opposition to authoritarianism is right and proper and good. Trump pardoning the January 6th insurrectionists raises the chance of street violence by both sending a message and releasing violent empowered organizers back to the street.

We are moving into dangerous times. I see the punching Nazi memes spread widely. I see the don’t just say you see Proud Boys but say how many, engaged in what tactics, armed how, and exactly where.

This preparation for street fighting seems reminiscent of the German socialists street fighting the fascist youth. It played into Hitler’s hands to see more power. Street violence plays into the hands of the authoritarians.

I would call for other tactics than street violence. In a counseling technique called motivational interviewing it talks about rolling with resistance. We don’t engage directly with the unhelpful bullshit but allow it to pass by.

Undermine the authority of the dominant paradigm through the simple act of telling the truth and not buying into the gaslighting. Humor and mockery and pointing out the absurdity of their actions. Being reasonable and unperturbed and not taking their bait is in order.

We need to remember our audience. Those folks who don’t follow the news, have little factual information and have real issues that were not addressed by the Bidenomics of rising prices, housing costs, and lack of opportunity.

Trump is at his highest approval underwater at a little less than 2% negative. If he can be brought down to 10% negative the Supreme Court and Senate may set some limits to this lame duck would be authoritarian.

Or we can engage him in  rhetorical battles of his choosing where our complex truths are less compelling than his simple lies and we lose the middle. His hurting his voters by ending $35 insulin is lost in the culture wars and his executive orders trump the constitution because no one who can will hold him accountable.

The choice is ours. To be strategic and disciplined, true and right and shape what comes next for justice or be reactive and right and lose it all but the boot smashing in our face for all eternity. Or something entirely different, I don’t know, I just need to do my best to build something good.