Excellent piece. The parallels are obvious the range may be from 1933 to 1940 Germany, it doesn’t matter the similarities are there for all to see and experience. There are also the ones who want to ignore it and cheer it on thinking the tide will never strike their doors. Knowledge is power, ignorance is not necessarily bliss.
My wife and I lived in Texas for 37 years but recently moved to the Pacific Northwest. To see the politics change from the days of Ann Richards to the autocratic rule of the three political stooges (Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and A.G. Paxton) has been frustrating, infuriating and disheartening. All three along with the Texas legislature bought and paid for by two west Texas billionaires that subscribe to the Seven Mountains Mandate. They decry sharia law but welcome the christian taliban with open arms. They have gerrymandered democrates out of existance at the federal, state and local levels. They are bigoted, racist hatemongers. As I said to my wife when we crossed the border into New Mexico, "Happiness is Texas politics in the rearview mirror."
That's a very powerful read. The list of organizations and yes churches, is enlightening. Both the Catholic and Protestant churches were enthusiastic collaborators.
Thanks for depressing me further this morning Sabrina with another astute piece. 😒 Nevertheless, I agree completely with you, save for the contention that vigilantism is un-American. That a country, or even a state, can countenance supporting a Paxton absolutely stupefies me...
Bulls Eye, like a laser sight on the Trumpian cup bearers in Texas. Spying on your neighbors and getting paid for it, what an utterly MAGA "devoutly to be wished" concept.
We see some internet traffic about time travelers. Hopefully some "patriot" will divulge when the end of democracy will occur. Hopefully the articulate and no-axe-to-grind media will publish the date. Hopefully our world will not resemble a dystopian wasteland seen on streaming videos.
There is a scene in the movie "The Untouchables" that occurs in a church. Jimmy Malone asks Eliot Ness, "What are you prepared to do?". A good question. What are WE prepared to do? Texas is willing to follow their political leaders. WHY?
As a country we are a surveillance state. Congress, Judges, Legislatures can't protect their constituents. More debate is declaimed about fatuous ideas such as a ballroom in the demolished White House East Wing than Medicare, an absolute necessity.
If perchance any “Christian” who has no idea of what Christian Nationalism is, and who may be contemplating a move to Texas for the wide-open-spaces, and the barbecue, and likes Kenny Paxton’s policies towards the ne’er-do-wells, should first watch a couple of old black and white movies on Hitler’s Henchmen, like “Keeper of the Flame” with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (TCM), and take a peak at Rob Reiner’s (& others’) “God And Country.” Oh, and maybe they should start telling themselves the Truth. At least start looking for it.
As a veteran of combat, I know something about manipulation, and the cost of deception.
What should happen in America is basically unthinkable because we are so used to the status quo. But the answer to Republican tyranny and Gestapo tactics is for Americans to discard party affiliations and vote as American citizens. First, to reject fascism as our way of life (which we are presently experiencing) and second, work to revise our electoral system. Hitler is dead, and his officials have been executed, but Nazism endures. America may see a similar outcome if Trumpism is defeated for a political cycle but then returns as the Republican political motivation. With the intellectual damage we are under due to lowered educational standards and reliance on AI, we'll become a one-party system by default anyway. So, voting as one group to save what's left of our freedom makes sense. Everywhere we look, whether it's ICE committing murders, a struggling economy, lawlessness and corruption, or Trump idolizing himself with wasteful monuments, America is no longer livable; it is a place reeking of desperation. The few who exploit the country's wealth provide a vision of progress that creates an illusion of grandeur. Even with all its historical faults, I never thought the country would succumb to fascism and genocide. For once, the people must come together as the American people and seek the peace and serenity they deserve. We are 340 million strong.
Dead center on target again, Sabrina. It's difficult to pick the correct year of the Third Reich in which we are situated. I tend to go with 1934. Then again, with the Iraq war based on false pretense, 1939 seems correct. Either way, circumstances are exactly as you described - with dreadful accuracy. JW
My maternal Grandmothers maiden name was Zimmerman. To honor her, I WILL NEVER SEIG HEIL ANY MAN!!!
Excellent piece. The parallels are obvious the range may be from 1933 to 1940 Germany, it doesn’t matter the similarities are there for all to see and experience. There are also the ones who want to ignore it and cheer it on thinking the tide will never strike their doors. Knowledge is power, ignorance is not necessarily bliss.
This was important. I’m glad you talked about this.
Gauleiter Paxton, nickname "One Eye".
My wife and I lived in Texas for 37 years but recently moved to the Pacific Northwest. To see the politics change from the days of Ann Richards to the autocratic rule of the three political stooges (Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and A.G. Paxton) has been frustrating, infuriating and disheartening. All three along with the Texas legislature bought and paid for by two west Texas billionaires that subscribe to the Seven Mountains Mandate. They decry sharia law but welcome the christian taliban with open arms. They have gerrymandered democrates out of existance at the federal, state and local levels. They are bigoted, racist hatemongers. As I said to my wife when we crossed the border into New Mexico, "Happiness is Texas politics in the rearview mirror."
glad you made the move. the original title of this piece was "dictators in the mirror."
There is a book called Hitler’s willing executioners - Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust. It’s how Hitler got Germans to turn on each other.
That's a very powerful read. The list of organizations and yes churches, is enlightening. Both the Catholic and Protestant churches were enthusiastic collaborators.
Thanks for depressing me further this morning Sabrina with another astute piece. 😒 Nevertheless, I agree completely with you, save for the contention that vigilantism is un-American. That a country, or even a state, can countenance supporting a Paxton absolutely stupefies me...
Bulls Eye, like a laser sight on the Trumpian cup bearers in Texas. Spying on your neighbors and getting paid for it, what an utterly MAGA "devoutly to be wished" concept.
We see some internet traffic about time travelers. Hopefully some "patriot" will divulge when the end of democracy will occur. Hopefully the articulate and no-axe-to-grind media will publish the date. Hopefully our world will not resemble a dystopian wasteland seen on streaming videos.
There is a scene in the movie "The Untouchables" that occurs in a church. Jimmy Malone asks Eliot Ness, "What are you prepared to do?". A good question. What are WE prepared to do? Texas is willing to follow their political leaders. WHY?
As a country we are a surveillance state. Congress, Judges, Legislatures can't protect their constituents. More debate is declaimed about fatuous ideas such as a ballroom in the demolished White House East Wing than Medicare, an absolute necessity.
I wish I had answers. I don't. I await the end.
Thanks,
Tommy
If perchance any “Christian” who has no idea of what Christian Nationalism is, and who may be contemplating a move to Texas for the wide-open-spaces, and the barbecue, and likes Kenny Paxton’s policies towards the ne’er-do-wells, should first watch a couple of old black and white movies on Hitler’s Henchmen, like “Keeper of the Flame” with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (TCM), and take a peak at Rob Reiner’s (& others’) “God And Country.” Oh, and maybe they should start telling themselves the Truth. At least start looking for it.
As a veteran of combat, I know something about manipulation, and the cost of deception.
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Light-Enters-Soldiers-Journey/dp/B0BMSKP6D5
Paxton is one in the MAGA mascots own image and is Prowd of it. Definitely not someone that should be serving in a position of power. Reject him.
What should happen in America is basically unthinkable because we are so used to the status quo. But the answer to Republican tyranny and Gestapo tactics is for Americans to discard party affiliations and vote as American citizens. First, to reject fascism as our way of life (which we are presently experiencing) and second, work to revise our electoral system. Hitler is dead, and his officials have been executed, but Nazism endures. America may see a similar outcome if Trumpism is defeated for a political cycle but then returns as the Republican political motivation. With the intellectual damage we are under due to lowered educational standards and reliance on AI, we'll become a one-party system by default anyway. So, voting as one group to save what's left of our freedom makes sense. Everywhere we look, whether it's ICE committing murders, a struggling economy, lawlessness and corruption, or Trump idolizing himself with wasteful monuments, America is no longer livable; it is a place reeking of desperation. The few who exploit the country's wealth provide a vision of progress that creates an illusion of grandeur. Even with all its historical faults, I never thought the country would succumb to fascism and genocide. For once, the people must come together as the American people and seek the peace and serenity they deserve. We are 340 million strong.
And now Texas AG Paxton has a US AG who thinks along the same goose-stepping lines as he does.
Great piece, an enjoyable read as usual.
All good reasons to stay the hell away from Texas
So important, so relevant!
Dead center on target again, Sabrina. It's difficult to pick the correct year of the Third Reich in which we are situated. I tend to go with 1934. Then again, with the Iraq war based on false pretense, 1939 seems correct. Either way, circumstances are exactly as you described - with dreadful accuracy. JW