Remnick: ‘An American Tragedy’
Click here for reuse options!The election of Donald Trump to the Presidency is nothing less than a tragedy for the American republic, a tragedy for the Constitution, and a triumph for the forces, at home and abroad, of nativism, authoritarianism, misogyny, and racism. Trump’s shocking victory, his ascension to the Presidency, is a sickening event in the history of the United States and liberal democracy. On January 20, 2017, we will bid farewell to the first African-American President—a man of integrity, dignity, and generous spirit—and witness the inauguration of a con who did little to spurn endorsement by forces of xenophobia and white supremacy. It is impossible to react to this moment with anything less than revulsion and profound anxiety.
There are, inevitably, miseries to come: an increasingly reactionary Supreme Court; an emboldened right-wing Congress; a President whose disdain for women and minorities, civil liberties and scientific fact, to say nothing of simple decency, has been repeatedly demonstrated. Trump is vulgarity unbounded, a knowledge-free national leader who will not only set markets tumbling but will strike fear into the hearts of the vulnerable, the weak, and, above all, the many varieties of Other whom he has so deeply insulted. The African-American Other. The Hispanic Other. The female Other. The Jewish and Muslim Other. The most hopeful way to look at this grievous event—and it’s a stretch—is that this election and the years to follow will be a test of the strength, or the fragility, of American institutions. It will be a test of our seriousness and resolve…
It is all a dismal picture. Late last night, as the results were coming in from the last states, a friend called me full of sadness, full of anxiety about conflict, about war. Why not leave the country? But despair is no answer. To combat authoritarianism, to call out lies, to struggle honorably and fiercely in the name of American ideals—that is what is left to do. That is all there is to do.
Copyright 2016 Liberaland
18 responses to Remnick: ‘An American Tragedy’
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Dammitjim November 9th, 2016 at 11:47
I’m gonna be sick.
arc99 November 9th, 2016 at 11:53
I want to avoid overreaction which will look foolish years from now.
But the fact is that all of the prior great civilizations have fallen.
Babylon fell
Greece fell
Persia fell
the Roman Empire fell
the British Empire fell apart.
Are we at a similar seminal moment in the history of our republic?
oldfart November 9th, 2016 at 12:27
Ala bugs bunny,
eeeit’s a possibility….
crc3 November 9th, 2016 at 16:06
We will not survive this election debacle and that is not an overreaction either….
fahvel November 10th, 2016 at 05:01
sadly, much of the world agrees with you.
R.J. Carter November 9th, 2016 at 17:00
Doubtful. Your sentiments echo the same ones that came from the right during 8 years of Clinton and 8 years of Obama. While it’s is certainly historically true that all civilizations have succumbed to social entropy, it’s a going to take a longer, slower process than this.
Or one very quick flash of light and heat.
Suzanne McFly November 9th, 2016 at 17:54
The way I look at it is we are stronger than one person and we will survive, but if we don’t I prefer the quick flash version myself.
fahvel November 10th, 2016 at 05:00
follow the history above – each dead empire had a shorter and shorter lifespan than the previous. The usa is and will decline more rapidly than you can imagine and the children and grandchildren will pay the price of old fools in office.
R.J. Carter November 10th, 2016 at 08:06
After watching snowflakes protesting democracy last night, I’m more inclined to agree with you.
fahvel November 10th, 2016 at 04:59
yes!
Jungle_Bhoy November 9th, 2016 at 12:33
The only redeeming thing in all this, is that Evangelical Christianity has been exposed for the total heap of lying, hypocritical garbage that it is. I hope these devout Christians enjoy their lily white, anti-black, anti-immigrant, jew-free and muslim-free America.
The alt-Right are now in charge and Evangelicals are firmly bonded with them. At least we can be assured that, as they rose together, they will fall together.
Warman1138 November 9th, 2016 at 16:15
And they’ll be the first ones to use religion to create scapegoats for their own failings as societal systems deteriorate or are eliminated.
William November 9th, 2016 at 13:29
Relax. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/629ad530c1f216efc98a6fbee1bebbffd708a73aa9e29b86aa7b7131b85a0de9.jpg
Snick1946 November 9th, 2016 at 14:21
A small quote from Winston Churchill in the House of Commons 1955.
“What ought we to do? Which way shall we turn to save our lives and the future of the world? It does not matter so much to old people; they are going soon anyway; but I find it poignant to look at youth in all its activity and ardour and, most of all, to watch little children playing their merry games, and wonder what would lie before them if God wearied of mankind.”
And allowed stupid Americans to elect Trump.
Warman1138 November 9th, 2016 at 16:11
Racism will now get a nod and a wink while the 99% will be divided, fleeced, deluded, and used as a disposable resource. And the killing of the planet will accelerate so some money can be made and when something or everything goes to hell, scapegoats will be made to fit the occasion. Also the poor, elderly and disabled will bear the first blows in a society that will no longer have a place for them even as their numbers increase exponentially.
amersham1046 November 9th, 2016 at 17:13
WE have met the enemy, and it is us (Pogo)
Chelonia Testudines November 9th, 2016 at 21:07
I will be leaving the country. There is no honor in going down with a sinking ship.
fahvel November 10th, 2016 at 04:57
and if those of you who are left standing do not continue to at least denigrate the orange fools, you deserve what you get – the thing deserves no respect no matter how white his new house is. The idea of having to resspect this thing just because of his new title is utter absurdity. Disrespect the disrespectful.