What’s to fear?

by Scott Fisher, Stevensville

It’s fun to be cute, Mr. Cavanaugh. But I think there’s more to the Great Entertainer’s rallies than you suggest. Consider the recent “bloodbath” in Vandalia, Ohio.

The people at the rally were invited by Mr. Trump to honor violence in the overthrow of our democratic form of government and join “hands over hearts” with those who had been convicted of the Jan. 6 violence. Mr. Trump mocked real patriotism by not removing his MAGA cap at the Pledge of Allegiance, making himself what was important. By being above all the violence he helped to make happen that day he was being a “great martyr, the most horribly and unfairly treated,” which is his trick to gain support.

These outliers who attempted the insurrection are praised by him as “unbelievable patriots”–as though they were among the hundreds of thousands who gave their lives to defend our nation and our Constitutional way of life. He asserts that violent insurrection is the best way to get what you want, that “bloodbaths” are the way to get it done. And he asserts this in EVERY rally.

In all his vitriol he and his followers persist in ignoring his violation of his oath to defend and support the Constitution he disdains by not accepting the judgment of 61 courts of appeal that deny his claim of fraud. (That’s the democratic Constitution way. We give the guy who thinks he’s been wronged a chance to be heard in a court of law.) Mr. Trump failed to accept the most basic tenet of the Constitution, the rule of law. (This is not putting your finger in the peanut butter, now is it?)

He lies about the outcome of the election and he is believed by nearly half the people, because they want to believe him. 148 members of the House of Representatives still violate their oath in the same way. He repeated that lie in this speech 9 times. When you tell a big lie often enough people eventually believe it. (That’s a principle the Nazis and all dictators have followed. Notice Putin.)

And he’s preparing his followers for his loss in 2024. He doesn’t want to win outright, just come close enough that he can repeat the insurrection of Jan. 6. Serious preparations are being made. His speeches are part of his preparation. We should take him seriously.

And one last point, don’t forget how he dehumanizes as “animals” the people who don’t support him. That is a dictator’s first step. The threat of a bloodbath IS something to fear. We need to take Trump for what he is and what he says. He is an aspiring dictator who likes, wants, and needs violence.

See Timothy Snyder. He is a useful authority on how tyranny works. You can google him.