By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a recent interview, J.D. Vance faced criticism for his response to racist text messages allegedly sent by young Republican staffers. Vance dismissed the messages, suggesting they were the product of “kids” and downplaying their significance. Critics swiftly condemned his remarks, arguing that the comments minimized the severity of racism and its potential impact, regardless of the ages of those involved. This response has ignited controversy, prompting accusations of insensitivity and a lack of accountability for the actions of individuals within the Republican party.
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Robert De Niro is spot-on: We cannot let up on protests, or we risk a Trump third term, or worse, a permanent authoritarian takeover. It’s not just about stopping Trump; it’s about the underlying ideology that fuels this movement, an ideology that has been gaining strength for generations. The focus shouldn’t solely be on the figurehead, but on the principles he represents.
The idea of a “third term” is a misnomer, a dangerous normalization of a potential coup. There is no such thing. Any talk of it, without directly addressing its illegality, is a betrayal of our democracy. We’ve seen this play out before: The current administration’s actions mirror historical patterns of authoritarianism. We’ve seen the slow erosion of norms.
Protests need to be more than just a fleeting event every few months. They must be sustained, disruptive, and targeted. We need to follow the lead of movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which had specific demands and caused economic harm to the target. It’s time to be relentless, to make our voices heard, and to demand accountability. Don’t let their indifference and wealth insulate them from the consequences of their actions.
This isn’t about just protesting once and calling it a day. The tea had to be thrown into the harbor to get attention. We need to be loud and clear, and we need to be constant. Don’t let them think they can ignore us. Don’t let them have a moment’s peace.
The real patriots need to reclaim our symbols and take back the flag. It’s time to stand up and say, “This is our country, and we won’t let it be taken away.” And, it’s not enough to hope for the 2024 election to be a saving grace, because the fight has to be constant for the next several years. If they manage to seize power, it won’t just be a third term; it will be a reign.
We must remember there is strength in numbers. Glad to see the American people put aside their minor squabbles and band together to fight the monster and his minions. Americans for freedom.
What is happening is not a single individual problem, but a cultural one. If we only remove the madman, the underlying issue won’t be fixed. We must address the psychological factors that fuel this destructive mindset.
It is absolutely crucial to realize that Trump and his supporters will not simply fade away if defeated once. The extremist right-wing ideology will persist, ready to rear its head again. This threat requires more than just protests. We need to be willing to disrupt the systems that enable and empower these ideologies.
That means targeted demands, economic pressure, and sustained disruption. Think about boycotts, strikes, and actions that directly affect the entities supporting these ideologies. Don’t expect change to come with a single Saturday protest. You have to fight for it.
We need to consider actions to put financial pressure on businesses that enable this regime. We need to be relentless, and we need to make it clear that we will not tolerate an authoritarian takeover.