The author, drawing from their experiences studying Russia, observes concerning parallels between Putin’s Russia and the current state of the United States. They highlight how Russia, through policies, marginalized certain groups and enriched the elite, a characteristic of a fascist regime. This marginalization manifested in the removal of certain groups from public spaces and the prioritization of superficial consumerism over basic human needs. The author fears that the US is headed down a similar path, mirroring the social stratification and inequities observed in Putin’s Russia.
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The New Normal: Trump Decides Which Beliefs Are ‘Legal’: When dissent becomes an “indicator,” the First Amendment stops being a right and starts being a risk.
It’s a chilling prospect: a government actively seeking out and investigating its own citizens based on their beliefs. This isn’t the premise of a dystopian novel; it’s the reality unfolding under a directive that, frankly, sounds like something out of a satirical newspaper. National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7) orders the FBI and other agencies to target individuals and groups based on a list of “indicators” – markers of potential domestic terrorism. These indicators, however, aren’t about violent acts.… Continue reading
CIVICUS, an international network advocating for stronger civil liberties, has downgraded the U.S.’s civic freedoms assessment from “narrowed” to “obstructed.” This decision follows a report highlighting a “rapid authoritarian shift” in the U.S., citing actions by the Trump administration that undermine democratic institutions, target protesters, and restrict press freedom. Specific concerns include the deployment of federal troops to cities, the targeting of pro-Palestinian activists, and the increased criticism of media outlets leading to censorship and restrictions on access. This assessment places the U.S. in the same category as other nations also experiencing a decline in civil liberties, signaling a broader global trend.
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Donald Trump’s behavior has steadily worsened, exceeding expectations of his “grotesquerie” to feed an “outrage addiction.” His mental and physical states have noticeably deteriorated, leading to corruption, incompetence, policy illiteracy, extremism, authoritarianism, and even treason. Trump’s actions consistently undermine democratic institutions and align with dictatorial regimes, demonstrating a desire to become a dictator himself. His actions are aimed at destroying everything everywhere, all the time.
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The article recounts a historical parallel to contemporary political anxieties, drawing a comparison between Donald Trump’s actions and those of John Adams during the late 1790s. Both leaders utilized fear-mongering and war rhetoric, such as the XYZ Affair, to suppress dissent and consolidate power, even attempting to jail their political opponents. Jefferson and his allies, however, countered Adams’ authoritarian tendencies through state-level resistance, pamphlets, and unwavering defense of democratic principles. This historical struggle highlights the power of truth-tellers, solidarity, and political leadership in overcoming threats to democracy, offering a hopeful perspective on current events.
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President Trump has publicly accused six members of Congress of being “traitors” for producing a video reminding members of the armed forces that they can refuse illegal orders, going so far as to suggest they should be arrested and put on trial. This reaction underscores Trump’s pattern of viewing criticism as an attack on the state, revealing both his disregard for free speech and his narcissistic tendencies. The video itself, which made reference to controversial actions by Trump, merely reiterated the established legal principle that service members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Despite this, Trump’s response shows his habit of equating dissent with treason, as he has done with previous critics, and highlights an authoritarian impulse.
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Trump Administration’s actions are poised to escalate the military presence in Washington, D.C. following the tragic shooting of two National Guard members. This event, occurring amidst an already tense political climate and a court order to reduce military presence, raises serious concerns about the administration’s intentions. It’s difficult to ignore the potential for this incident to be exploited to further an agenda of increased control and an authoritarian direction.
The timing of this shooting is, to put it mildly, suspect. Given the court order demanding the removal of troops, the fact that such an event occurred shortly after is extremely difficult to disregard.… Continue reading
President Trump has called for the arrest and execution of several members of Congress for reminding military personnel to disobey unlawful orders. This follows a campaign by the Trump administration to target alleged drug smugglers, which many legal experts deem unlawful. American military tradition and law permit and even require soldiers to question and disobey orders perceived as unlawful, a principle reinforced by international law and the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, the actions of the President and Defense Secretary Hegseth in ignoring this principle betray a shocking misunderstanding of the legal and moral responsibility of the American military.
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Teenage Russian street musician jailed over anti-Kremlin songs is detained as she leaves jail. It’s truly a statement about the state of affairs when a teenage musician, armed with nothing more than a voice and a guitar, can incite such a level of fear within a government. The fact that the regime felt threatened enough to imprison her initially, and then to immediately detain her again upon her release, paints a rather bleak picture of the tolerance for dissent. It speaks volumes about the fragility of power when it’s so easily rattled by a pop song. It’s hard not to find the whole situation a little pathetic.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood