The Right Way to Resist Trump

[yamair]

Five years ago, I warned about the risk of a Donald J. Trump presidency. Most people laughed. They thought it inconceivable

Comments

[ioplokon]

i don't know that i agree that the protests are pointless - imo the purpose is not really to contest the results of the election (tho i know for some the dream lives on...), but rather to have a visible public presence against the bigotry that trump mobilized to get elected? i know that in my town, there have been several hate crimes and incidents surrounding the election, so being able to come together with allies helps to combat some of that fear & build the community connections necessary to stand against what's coming is important right now. i think it does do something when a large enough group of people comes together in the streets and says that racist and homophobic attacks are not supported. and i don't think it's wrong to lay a good portion of the blame on trump & his campaign

[yamair]

Yeah, the article raises some interesting points, but its dismissal of the protests is off. They're effective and needed for many reasons, not least because the right has pushed this "silent majority" crap, and I think visibly seeing opposition is an important counter. It's also as much about building momentum and getting people active, just as it is about protesting X

[ioplokon]

Yeah, I probably am being too harsh on the Hamilton thing. To some extent, I do think trump is using it as a manufactured distraction, but I don't think it shouldn't have happened. Mostly, I'm just personally sick of hearing about it. But then I'll watch that video of Christoph Waltz ad infinitum, so I'm def not being fair. 

[lokilaufeysanon]

I'm not entirely convinced that Trump's infrastructure plan is that good of an idea, either (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-big-infrastructure-plan-its-a-trap/2016/11/18/5b1d109c-adae-11e6-8b45-f8e493f06fcd_story.html?utm_term=.43789ff100ae).

I also agree with ioplokon above that the protests aren't a bad thing. With the rise in hate crimes and racists such as the KKK and neo-Nazis feeling puffed up and victorious, I think it is important for people to get out and protest. Not only that, but there already is a lot of things about Trump's presidency to protest - namely, his shitty appointments of racists and white nationalists.

I do agree with a lot of what the article said, though.

[amw]

Let's take a look at the first ten days since this sleaze bag won the election

[grace_om]

While there are definite parallels, I don't think Berlusconi was actively promoting white nationalists and flirting with fascism. Am I wrong about that?

Putting open racists and a propagandist for white supremacy into his cabinet can never be brushed aside as "normal business." Sometimes you just have to say no, loudly and constantly.

At the same time, I do think the Dems in govt need to tread cautiously. Yes, in some cases Trump does have his finger on the pulse of populism -- and that could help put the brakes on the wet dreams of certain ideological conservatives. And I totally agree that the Dems need fresh leadership -- not simply because they've been ineffective, but because there's less history to spin and exploit.

[yamair]

I don't think Berlusconi was actively promoting white nationalists and flirting with fascism.

That's a good point, I don't recall him doing that. He used his position for his own businesses and wealth. He was very sleazy and generally incompetent, but he didn't enable neo-nazis.