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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThey're Doing It in Broad Daylight--Because They Think No One Will Stop Them -- Thom Hartmann
https://hartmannreport.com/p/theyre-doing-it-in-broad-daylightbecause-a2dWhen Harvard, one of Americas oldest and most revered institutions of higher learning, stands defiant as the federal government freezes billions in funding simply because it refuses to knuckle under to authoritarian demands like gutting DEI programs and turning faculty into immigration informants were no longer playing the usual game of politics.
This is the open throttling of academic freedom, part of a larger, deliberate campaign to silence dissent, centralize power, and erase democratic norms.
Weve seen this playbook before in other countries but now its being run right here, in the land that once proudly called itself the worlds beacon of liberty.
Democracy doesnt die in darkness, as the saying goes; it suffocates in broad daylight.
Americans are witnessing an unprecedented assault on the very foundations of our democratic experiment, orchestrated with a precision that would make authoritarian strongmen worldwide nod in approval.
. . .
This is the open throttling of academic freedom, part of a larger, deliberate campaign to silence dissent, centralize power, and erase democratic norms.
Weve seen this playbook before in other countries but now its being run right here, in the land that once proudly called itself the worlds beacon of liberty.
Democracy doesnt die in darkness, as the saying goes; it suffocates in broad daylight.
Americans are witnessing an unprecedented assault on the very foundations of our democratic experiment, orchestrated with a precision that would make authoritarian strongmen worldwide nod in approval.
. . .
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They're Doing It in Broad Daylight--Because They Think No One Will Stop Them -- Thom Hartmann (Original Post)
erronis
Monday
OP
Srkdqltr
(8,281 posts)1. So far its working.
erronis
(19,188 posts)2. Another segment from this excellent post
History provides a disturbing playbook, and were watching it unfold right now here in America. Putin, Orbán, and Erdoğan didnt need tanks in the streets. They understood that the process is multi-part but straightforward:
Consider what were seeing unfold. The recent January 6 pardons sent an unmistakable message about the acceptability of political violence. When legislators openly express fears of retaliation as Senator Lisa Murkowski just did were already several steps down a dangerous path.
Legitimize political violence,
Capture the media,
Intimidate lawyers,
Install corrupt leaders within regulatory and police agencies,
Disappear first minorities and later opposition leaders,
Silence universities, and
Starve opposition movements by denying their nonprofit status and funding.
Consider what were seeing unfold. The recent January 6 pardons sent an unmistakable message about the acceptability of political violence. When legislators openly express fears of retaliation as Senator Lisa Murkowski just did were already several steps down a dangerous path.
spanone
(138,836 posts)3. So far, no one has stopped them.
So far, looks like no one will.
Kid Berwyn
(20,087 posts)4. We the People got some work to do.

Looking forward to it, actually.
blubunyip
(105 posts)5. Working on it
Together we can.