Donald Trump Isn't on Trial. The Republican Party Is. - The Bulwark

Via: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  12 Comments  •  2 Likes  •  4 years ago

“We know Trump is guilty. We don't know (yet) whether the Republican party can be saved.”

For once I don't agree with a Bulwark article. The Republican Party is not on trial: its shame is already apparent to all. Fascists are easy to see, once you take off the rose-colored glasses.

Congresswoman and Jonestown survivor Jackie Speier: 'Trump is a political cult leader'

Via: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  1 Comments  •  4 years ago

“After the congresswoman survived an ambush by Jim Jones's cult members in 1978 she became determined to devote herself to public service and to...”

Jim Jones told his followers to drink. They drank. Donald Trump told his followers to drink. They drank. No true followers questioned their Leader's instructions.

A Moment of Truth

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  19 Comments  •  3 Likes  •  4 years ago

“January Sixth, and now the impeachment trial, have put us all before a simple choice: to support democracy or to support Donald Trump”

The United States of America has gifted human history with two novel ideas: "inalienable rights" and "equality of opportunity". Neither has been perfectly applied in the United States, but both have been national ideals. A third ideal, inherited from the British, has been equally...

Must a ''CoC Violation'' be identified?

By: Bob Nelson  •  Metafied  •  58 Comments  •  4 years ago

“I've noticed some deletions without a specific label. Is that adequate?”

Newstalkers' CoC is a very good document. Clear and concise. Interpersonal Codes (essentially: ‘be polite’) 1. No direct or indirect derogatory references to other members 2. No taunting or bullying 3. Be civil Content Codes (essentially: ‘thoughtful, relevant contribution’) 4. Stay on...

January Sixth, 2021: A Celebration for Fascism... A Tragedy for Democracy

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  4 Comments  •  3 Likes  •  4 years ago

“My perception is: President Trump's speech was shocking, but not surprising. The rebellion that followed was both shocking and surprising. Were you...”

For four years, Mr Trump constantly lied to the American people. That's a monstrous notion... but true. The cumulative effect of all that lying numbed the American people. Nothing was too outrageous. We were beyond surprise. Some Americans were pleased to hear Mr Trump's lies. Polling showed...

Rebellion, January Sixth, 2021

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  5 Comments  •  1 Like  •  4 years ago

“SEDITION: conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch REVOLT: an attempt to put an end to the authority...”

On January Sixth, hundreds of marauders assaulted and invaded the Capitol of the United States of America. They threatened the police officers who tried to do their duty of defending the Capitol. The rebels killed one of those police officers. They ransacked offices. They stole.  Those people...

January Sixth was a watershed

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  9 Comments  •  2 Likes  •  4 years ago

“Supporters of President Trump overran the Capitol of the United States of America, killing a policeman”

There is no doubt that the people who assaulted and occupied the Capitol were Trump supporters. There is no doubt of their harmful intent. There is no doubt that on January Sixth, supporters of Donald Trump murderously assaulted the Congress of the United States. We have seen that...

President Trump's policies were fascist

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  5 Comments  •  2 Likes  •  4 years ago

“MISTER Trump's ideology is unknown. Probably whatever will increase his wealth and power. PRESIDENT Trump's policies were objectively fascist.”

As we have seen, "fascism" is a combination of authoritarianism and xenophobia. President Trump's policies were authoritarian. He punished whistleblowers for dong their job, calling them traitors. He fired any person who did not show perfect loyalty to his person. (White House turnover is...

What is a "fascist"?

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  9 Comments  •  1 Like  •  4 years ago

“Epithets fly! The question is, "Are they deserved?"”

The dictionaries say a "fascist" is "Someone who supports fascism". Gosh! That's a surprise... OK, then what is "fascism"? One online definition is: A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls,...

The Rules for The Beacon

By: Bob Nelson  •  The Beacon  •  1 Comments  •  1 Like  •  4 years ago

Like airline pilots, we need a method... a check-list... Stay on topic. Ordinary, everyday conversation is pretty much free form: "One thing leads to another!" There is nothing more natural than to let one's mind drift from one idea to the next. But... we cannot seriously examine a topic if we...