This is a world, in which each of us, knowing his limitations, knowing the evils of superficiality and the terrors of fatigue, will have to cling to what is close to him, to what he knows, to what he can do, to his friends and his tradition and his love, lest he be dissolved in a universal confusion and know nothing and love nothing
— Robert Oppenheimer
On this day, we re-enter the Trump era with all the chaos and distraction it promises. Eight years ago, we faced the same, a moment of decision between acceptance and resistance. Four years ago we held our breath, wondering if the madness of the 6th would raise its head again. Today we again step into a world in which we question our assumptions, wonder at the decisions made by others, and face the uncertainty of the coming years.
One thing is clear. Amongst the uncertainty, the chaos (intentional or accidental), and outright assaults, the overall strategy remains the same. Keep the country’s attention focused on the right hand while the left does the damage.
Reagan – the ‘great’ communicator, distracted the nation by proselytizing the dangers of communism under Brezhnev, Andropov and Gorbachev while undermining the economic fundamentals of our country. W, the affable doofus, led us into indeterminate war against a noun under a banner declaring success while behind the curtain our freedoms were discarded and our education diluted. Trump, directed by the neo-oligarchs and meta-fascists, failed in his first attempt at autocracy but has been given a second chance.
It has begun already. Distracting us (with the complicit assistance of the media) with the absurd while the real damage is done. Focusing on the ridiculous claims of buying Greenland while normalizing his Cabinet appointments. Agonizing over the indoor inauguration while the flood of executive orders are written. Making Tik-Tok the most important issue while plans are made to further undermine the climate.
The easiest thing to do right now is to retreat. To pull our heads back down and seek the comforting solace of our bubbles. To focus on ourselves and count down the days until January 20, 2029. To pretend that the times we live in are normal and that we can quietly stand by until they pass. I want nothing more than to sit by the fire with a good whiskey and a better book.
But that’s not an option. Ignore the distractions and look to where the real damage is being done. Both by Trump himself as well as his enablers. Don’t fall for trivialities while we side-step into the worst. Hold on to what we know to be right and to be true, and resist with all the tools you can call to bear.