Frank Zappa saw it coming.

[Kid Berwyn]

“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre”.

My question to DUers: What should we do about the reality, a cage where tyranny has trumped democracy?

[Blue_Tires]

1. Oh, I don't even think folks are bothering with even the illusion anymore

I think people still refuse to get it through their heads that some cartoonish celebrity TV personality could be worse than Mussolini...

Or maybe I'm wrong and people are perfectly OK with a fascist takeover as long as it's "unpredictable and entertaining"

[Kid Berwyn]

2. The low information crowd are in for a big surprise.

Italy.
Germany.
Spain.

The people who “patriotically” backed the dictator always were shocked when the state came for them.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. First and foremost, we must agree the lying is not protected speech

and that liars (in an official capacity) must be punished.

[FakeNoose]

4. +1000 That's a winner

/file

[Kid Berwyn]

14. Trump lied to cover up treason.

Trump invited Russia to attack our national sovereignty by interfering in our national election.

Russia then did so on Trump’s behalf, at the expense of Clinton’ and the USA.

Trump accepted Russia’s help.

Trump’s foreign policy has advanced the interests of Russia.

Trump lied about all of that.

[FiveGoodMen]

19. Right, and that should be more than enough to get him impeached

But far too many Americans think that the 1st Amendment declares lying to be fair game in all circumstances.

[MarcA]

5. First, educate people to stop believing the illusion

after you make sure you have stopped believing it yourself.
Second, work to make it a better world.

[Kid Berwyn]

15. Manchurian Nation

Seems every day, more people become victims to all manner of mental misdirection, dis- and misinformation overload and general imperial madness to the point where their critical faculties are past breaking.

Consider the Source: I stop Republican conversation in its tracks by asking, “What would happen if Hillary Cilinton had recruited, received and reciprocated help from Russia to get elected? Most reply she would be impeached, convicted and imprisoned immediately.

What you said, every word, MarcA. I am trying. Really appreciate the kind response.

[MarcA]

6. The Belief in a Just World: a Fundamental Delusion by Melvin Lerner.

Out of print and expensive to buy, but concise on the subject without
being technical.

[Kid Berwyn]

16. Fascinating hypothesis, BJW

Thank you for the heads-up. We get what we deserve.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257664945_The_Belief_in_a_Just_World_and_Personality_A_Meta-analysis

[Drifter]

7. Listen to more Zappa

He was prophetic on a number of topics

Cheers
Drifter

[Kid Berwyn]

17. I had a bunch of his records, from Mud Shark on.

One of my favorites though was his appearance on “Crossfire,” a liberal vs conservative talks how in CNN you may recall. He lit into the fascist right ahead, but good.

&feature=youtu.be

Saw the guy with the Mothers of Invention four times, including a Mother’s Day show in Detroit.

[Initech]

8. It Can't Happen Here...

[Silver Gaia]

10. Wow. Thanks.

I have the original vinyl of that album. It was a gift from a friend when I was 12 or 13, and was part of my "awakening." I think of this performance often, but hadn't heard it in many years.

[Initech]

13. I really want to get a copy of this album on vinyl.

I have been playing this song a lot since Chump took office.

[ProfessionalLeft]

20. What They Want

They want a guy from a group with a big hit single in the charts!

Not their most political album, but a classic nonetheless.

[Initech]

21. Oh I'm a huge FZ fan.

I think probably my favorite political album of his is "Broadway The Hard Way". He'd probably be horrified to think that the same assholes who were in charge then are in charge now, and they've only got worse.

[FiveGoodMen]

22. "He'd probably be horrified"

Or he'd say, "told ya so!"

[lastlib]

9. "...that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends..."

"...it is the right of the people to alter or abolish such forms, and to institute new Government...."
--Declaration of Independence, 1776.

[gtar100]

11. Continue the ridicule. tRump and his supporters have earned it.

Non-cooperation, non-compliance with their stupid right-wing, fascist rules. These people have chosen to disrespect the democratic process. We owe them nothing but our contempt.

[Ferrets are Cool]

12. He was an exceptional genius

[NightWatcher]

18. He also said "the meek shall inherit nothing".

[FiveGoodMen]

23. Reminds me of Mal Reynolds in Firefly...

"More than 70 earths spinnin' about the galaxy, and the meek have inherited not a one."