News organizations are using cowardly words to describe killing abroad, fascism at home — downplaying the danger to democracy.

There was a shocking and incredibly important story on the front page of the New York Times last week. As reported by an A-team of journalists including two Pulitzer Prize winners, the Times warned its readers that Donald Trump — if returned to the White House in 2025 — is grooming a new team of extremist government lawyers who would be more loyal to their Dear Leader than to the rule of law, and could help Trump install a brand of American fascism.

You say you didn’t hear anything about this? That’s not surprising. The editors at the Times made sure to present this major report in the blandest, most inoffensive way possible — staying true to the mantra in the nation’s most influential newsroom that the 2024 election shouldn’t be covered any differently, even when U.S. democracy is on the line.

  • @TunaCowboy
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    111 year ago

    This is why many of us remain pro 2a. Citizens in blue states are rushing to limit their second amendment rights while those in red states are busy expanding their own. I remain optimistic and hopeful it will never come to it, but there may come a time we’ll wish we had access to normal capacity magazines and non-nerfed rifles. Jon Stewart isn’t going to come to my rescue when some fascist militia member has me on my knees in front of a ditch. We need to accept that the fascists will never disarm, regardless of legislation, that cat is out of the bag. We need to believe them when they tell us what kind of America they want and what they’re willing to do to get there because although they may seem like a joke, they are fucking dead serious.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      51 year ago

      The gun most likely to harm you is your own. Either through an accident, or a family member or friend using it (possibly carelessly). You are not going to fight off any mobs with the one gun you can fit in your sweaty hands.

      There will be no fascist takeover, mainly because the average American will never allow it. Our economy is so interconnected that it can be disrupted by a minor issue (remember the “supply chain” thing?).

      If there was some “fascist mobs” taking over some government buildings or voting booths or whatever, people would definitely slow down at work. Many wouldn’t even show up. A slowdown of the economy is the last thing rich people want. Guess who politicians listen to?

      • @BabyVi
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        71 year ago

        I feel incredibly uneasy relying on the better judgment of Americans to pull us back from the brink. Not saying that individuals with guns are a real solution. Just that perhaps it would be better to plan for the worst case scenerio rather than expecting a favorable outcome.

      • @mystik
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        61 year ago

        There is not going to be a mob at a voting booth, or at a government building, in a way that matters.

        It’ll be done by people not taking action. It’ll be done by installing people sympathetic to fascism installed to positions where they have the authority to approve or enforce (or not enforce) policies. It’ll be done by people saying “oh, that’s fine it doesn’t affect me” , or "people will never allow it "…

        Some of the things that people are allowing lately are downright evil. But it’s okay because it’s what my church said was good.

        Rich people have been advocating for policies and programs that all but force people to work, at borderline slave wages just to survive or participate in society.

        I don’t see an end to this unless something drastic and uncomfortable happens.