"What we are now experiencing is exactly what incipient fascism looks like"

[highplainsdem]

From Charles Kaiser at BillMoyers.com:

http://billmoyers.com/story/arpaio-pardon-may-opening-act-constitutional-crisis/

Here is the most logical way to view his pardon of Sheriff Arpaio: it is the latest and gravest step he has taken in his continuing efforts to undermine the rule of law. Obviously Trump delighted in fueling the racism of Arpaio’s supporters by pardoning this convicted criminal –he made that clear earlier this week during his repellent speech in Phoenix. But I am certain that is not the main reason for this heinous act.

For many weeks, Washington has been swirling with rumors that Mueller already has secured the cooperation of Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort in his investigation of the president. And Trump undoubtedly is more vulnerable to the testimony of these two men than he is to that of any other players in this fearful drama. Therefore, Trump must feel compelled to send this message through Arpaio’s pardon: the president is eager and willing to do the same thing for anyone who might be pressured into testifying against him.

I have a written a book about France under fascism, and what we are now experiencing is exactly what incipient fascism looks like. The combination of Trump’s relentless assaults on the free press, his open encouragement of Nazis — which is the only honest description of his initial refusal to condemn them — and now a pardon without even pretending to go through the normal channels of the Justice Department — these are all the acts of man who is blatantly defying his sacred pledge to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Like the men and women of Vichy France who began their collaboration with the Nazis seventy-seven years ago, from now on, every senator and House member of either party who continues to remain silent about this president’s unconstitutional acts is directly complicit in the high crimes and misdemeanors of Donald Trump.

-snip-

Senator Lindsay Graham already has said that the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions would mean the beginning of the end of Trump’s presidency. It is long past time for all of Graham’s colleagues in both houses to declare that the same thing will be true if the president dares to repeat the horrific abuse of his pardon power that we witnessed last night. Otherwise, America is destined for an era of violence and darkness unlike any we have ever witnessed since the end of the Civil War, one hundred and fifty-two years ago.

[Achilleaze]

1. republicans will live in infamy for what they have done to American democracy

by installing Comrade Casino, lifetime liar and cheater, as their Draft-Dodger-in-Chief and Enfant Tyrant against decency.

[Initech]

2. And it's all because of liberal derangement syndrome.

Something that the GOP has been fed 24/7 for half a century now. Fucking assholes.

[RiverStone]

7. Lets hope 2018 reflects their enabling of the racist regime! n/t

[mjvpi]

3. I call my Congressman and Senator once a week to state exactly this fact.

They are Trump by virtue of their inaction. We all need to start driving this home on a local level. 2018!

[RandomAccess]

4. Consider making it more often, and get others to join you

Here's some help --


Call any hour of the day, 24/7: 202-241-3121
Free Faxes (incl up to 3 attachments) to Senators: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php
Free Faxes (ditto) to Congress: https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php
TEXT your faxes: Text RESIST to 50202
Write your MoC - DEMOCRACY.IO https://democracy.io/#/

[calimary]

6. Kicking for this post!

[dixiegrrrrl]

13. Random..pls. make this a separate post as well....

It is exactly what I was thinking earlier.
And sending your OP to everyone on my email list.

[RandomAccess]

14. Please feel free to do that

I'm not up to it. Sorry.

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. Ok..did not want to steal your thunder is all.

will do.

[rocktivity]

5. And now for something completely incipient

Last edited Sun Aug 27, 2017, 12:32 AM - Edit history (2)

One of my favorite Monty Python bits ever: the mere suggestion that anyone could be that unaware, ignorant and "out of it" is what makes it funny -- and unfortunately, menacing, too.


rocktivity

[Maynar]

10. "I am not a racialist!"

Been a very long time, thanks for that.

[BigmanPigman]

8. The sad thing is that 50% of the population is currently either

purposely ignorant or they simply do not give a shit about "politics". They are completely apathetic. Half of the country did not even vote. This is not effecting them directly so why worry about it. That is why and how this is continuing to worsen and will get much worse. The GOP knows this and it secures their power.

We have to protect the apathetic since they won't do it for themselves. We fight for everyone's equality, justice, our freedoms, etc. Of course they do not care and never asked us to do it and they may eventually blame us and hurt us despite our patriotic intentions.

[DDySiegs]

9. We Need a New John Wesley Dean III

I watched John Dean give his fateful testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee 44 years ago, but I don't think I ever appreciated until now how important his giving that testimony really was. As the White House Counsel, he knew that that testimony would guarantee that he himself would go to prison.

He deserved that term in prison, no doubt about it. But he also deserved, then and now, the thanks of a grateful nation for playing a big part in helping this country to avoid in the 1970s the horrifying result that Mr. Kaiser describes in his piece.

We need another person now who will make the sacrifice of a possible prison term to lay bare the evil acts of Trump and those who continue to support and defend him out of totally misplaced loyalty and, most importantly, out of their decision to put their own perceived personal interests ahead of those of our constitutional democracy. In our history a few military personnel have had this kind of dedication (and were awarded the medal of honor for it). Let's hope that we will again have someone with that kind character to help stop Trump.

[Toorich]

11. PARDONS DON'T PREVENT TESTIMONY

If the Orange one pardons Flynn and/or Manafort, that saves them from punishment for crimes they may have committed.
But if Mueller calls them to testify against the Orange one and they refuse, they may be jailed until they agree to answer questions.
Ask Susan McDougal how that works.

[DDySiegs]

12. But what if the Pardon Hasn't Been Issued When

the testimony is called for. In that case the witness is in fact in a position to claim his/her Fifth Ammendment rights against self incrimination.

Thus, all Trump has to do is hold off on the pardon (with wink and nod - or some other more overt form of obstruction of justice) for the years until a f judgment of guilt (after all appeals) is finalized. No doubt he could and would also pay the cost of the case by some sleight of hand.