If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools. — Plato
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. — Pericles
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty - Jefferson
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act - Orwell
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men* to do nothing - Burke. (* and women)
It's time for me to become boring. But first let me make one thing clear: you are entitled to ignore me. By any international standard I am without formal education. I left school at 15 and entered journalism because the prospect entertained me. Forty-four and a half years later I retired as a journalist, having influenced no one.
Just this once, I'd like to modify that view of my life.
This decision is a reaction to what has happened within the last 24 hours in the USA. A country of which I may speak with a tiny bit of authority since I worked there as a journalist, 1965 - 1972. I was drawn there because I'd read a lot of US authors, admired the skilful way US professionals made movies, and, at heart, I believed the USA was a "good" place because of the way it had helped destroy Fascism in WW2. I enjoyed life there, I learnt a lot, and was able to apply what I learnt when I took to writing novels in retirement.
Along the way I ran a blog, starting in 2008. Less so in in the last two years given that the defects of old age have overtaken my family and reduced its energy capacity.
Perhaps not surprisingly, my blog attracted US readers. Articulate types on the whole. And I noticed from their comments those who said they weren't interested in politics or averted their eyes from reports on what was happening to US government. For them I would point to the quotes above
Within the last few hours Trump appears to be making good on a promise he uttered while campaigning. "Get me in this time and you may never have to vote again." His proposed restriction on mailed-in voting is a first giant step towards doing away with the ballot box. Hitler did something similar but forget about him, think what he did for the German people
To those who prefer to shy away from thinking about impending tyranny, the message is brief: forget about yourselves, death will soon bring an end to your worries. Think about your kids.
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