On the Brink
What’s a brink? Oxford dictionary says “an extreme edge of land before a steep or vertical slope.”
What’s a dictator? Britannica has this to say:
“dictator, in modern political systems, a single person who possesses absolute political power within a country or territory or a member of a small group that exercises such power. . . . Modern dictators, however, resemble ancient tyrants rather than ancient dictators. . . . .Dictators usually resort to force or fraud to gain despotic political power, which they maintain through the use of intimidation, terror, and the suppression of basic civil liberties. They may also employ techniques of mass propaganda in order to sustain their public support.”
Is it time to step back - or step up?
Andrew Coyne of the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper does the latter with evidence. You need to read the full article bur here are some of the items he cites of the current US. president:
Installing National Guard forces - some armed- in Los Angeles and the capital city, with plans to do so elsewhere saying they are needed to fight crime.
Seizing suspects and sending them to foreign and domestic prisons without trial or charges.
Investigating the lawyers who proseuted him, and additionally officials who worked for him and disagreed with him.
Pardoning January 6 rioters.
Threatening and suspending TV licenses and demanding massive settlements.
Doing the same with universities and law firms.
Asking for redrawing of electoral maps.
Firing key leaders who provide information; The Bureau of Statistics, the Defense Intelligence Agency, health officials.
Defying court orders.
Spending money appropriated by congress.
Placing giant portraits of himself in public places.
Adding gold decor to the White House and having a military parade as a birthday celebration.
Can one depend on the courts and the congress? Both have political majorities. What about midterm elections? How long is it before the fall of 2026 and what can happen between now and then?
Is it good to stand on the brink? I remember doing so on the cliffs of Dover many years ago. The view - with its own history was breathtaking - but one immediately became aware of being too close to the edge. We left and went on to do other important things in our lives - not just stepping back.
What are the important things now? As Canadians we watch - but we must not underestimate our responsibility for ourselves.
Support our American friends who will protest this Labor Day in any way we can.
Refuse to bow to propaganda that stretches into our own country through mainstream and social media.
Refuse a trade agreement that has no benefits for us - no matter how long negotiation takes or intermediary pain.
Laugh at and leave onlne influencers who don’t know what they are talking about.
Read historians and others who provide evidence and include context in their views.
Support our city councillors, members of provincial and federal parliaments by telling them when they do good things; call them to account when they don’t.
Be kind to others and do small and large things that are beneficial to everybody.
Step up, step up, step up - don’t step back.