Surrender in Slow Motion: The Soft Collapse of American Democracy

What if the collapse of a democracy doesn’t come with sirens or boots in the street, but with slogans, executive orders, and billionaires in boardrooms? A quiet drift toward something unrecognizable: a system where mythology replaces accountability, unelected tech moguls shape public policy, and fear becomes the new filter for free speech. The warning signs are easy to ignore—until the ground gives way.

When People Tell Us Why They Voted for Donald Trump, We Should Listen

74 million people voted for Donald Trump. Writing them all off as irredeemable bigots risks deepening divides and repeating these outcomes in future elections. Instead of impulsively dismissing them as sexist or stupid, we should listen to what they say about the frustrations driving their choices. Understanding their grievances isn’t excusing hatred—it’s a crucial step toward bridging divides and protecting democracy.

The Lonesome Death of Civil Discourse

Civil discourse didn’t die with a bang—it bled out quietly, while most of us were busy yelling at each other online. I felt it this past summer on a family trip to Port Aransas, walking along the beach with my 11-year-old daughter. She pointed to a line of pickup trucks flying political flags, most of them…

Christian Nationalism United the Right to Violence for the Jan 6th Insurrection

A new report has detailed the role Christian Nationalism played in bolstering, justifying, and intensifying the January 6th attack of 2021 on the U.S. Capitol.  Drawing on reporting, videos, statements, and images from the attack and its precursor events; the most comprehensive account to date of Christian Nationalism’s role in the January 6th Insurrection has…

War, Rinse, Repeat

This week we have watched the complete “undoing” of all that had been done by US troops in Afghanistan over the last twenty years. Within three days of our starting the withdrawal process (from a region some would argue that we never should have been in to begin with), the Taliban have quickly seized back…

President Trump, Get Well Soon

I don’t revel in the prospect that Donald J. Trump could potentially die from complications related to his now-confirmed infection. And even if you see him as an evil political enemy deserving of whatever he gets, I think it more prudent that you don’t rub the salt in our fellow American’s wounds either. Like it or not, Trump is currently beloved by a large number of Americans; and they will be deeply grieved if their dear leader dies. For Trump’s opponents to celebrate in such a grave event, should his death take place; it would forever embitter Trump’s followers and potentially elevate him to a martyr in their eyes.

Born Near the 4th of July

Upon reaching the event, we were greeted by a large likeness of Trump tweeting from a toilet, complete with audio which consisted of various gems like “I am a stable genius,” sprinkled in with an occasional long, loud farting noise. The beloved “Baby Trump Blimp” was there, too (which had to be tied to the ground because, well, “freedom”). The atmosphere for the most part was light. Of course, you had the random assholes walking over to start their ignorant “build the wall” chants and display some other general buffoonery, but eventually they moved on….

To Vote or Not to Vote: The Ramblings of a Disillusioned Anarchist

This last election, as a New Yorker, I knew that my vote had already
been cast. I was able to smugly write in my all-time favorite (very
dead) journalist, “Hunter S Thompson.” I know it’s been said a million
times before, but in these midterms, there is just too much at stake for me
to “sit it out.” As a friend of a friend most eloquently stated,
“sometimes the lesser of two evils is way less evil.”