Thread by @saradannerdukic

We’re at a very critical point right now. Alongside the attempt to degrade our trust in what we’ve seen with our very own eyes, they also want to annihilate rule of law.

On one side, we have those who brazenly flout the rule of law, and on another, those who’d like us to believe we should abandon it, “just this once.”

Rule of law is a tool that exists in our minds and hearts - it’s not something you forge from steel or hold in your hands.

Our enemies know this, and are doing everything they can to claw their way into our heads and convince us that the best course of action is to abandon the rule of law, for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways.

Democracy isn’t possible without rule of law. Rule of law allows us the opportunity to live out our collective principles vs. the whims of an authoritarian.

I say opportunity, because in our imperfection, we evolve. When something isn’t right, we talk about it (thanks to the 1A), and then try to change it for the better.

Rule of law is what has enabled this:
justice.gov/sco

Rule of law is why Mariia Butina is sitting in jail.
justice.gov/opa/press-rele…

Rule of law is why her boyfriend who helped her got caught, too.
justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/sio…

Rule of law is why we know about what they’ve been doing to us, and how and why:
justice.gov/opa/press-rele…

Rule of law is why Michael Cohen is still working with SDNY.
nytimes.com/2019/02/22/us/…

Rule of law is why Roger Stone’s trial didn’t just vanish.
wsj.com/articles/roger…

Rule of law is why Mueller’s mystery case is still going - how did they say it? Oh yes; “robustly.”
politico.com/story/2019/03/…

If we abandon rule of law “just this once,” we’re throwing down our swords. If we abandon rule of law, all of this 👆 is called into question.

If we abandon rule of law, all of Mueller’s work - including the report which we’ve yet to see - is degraded.

Let’s also talk about truth. We’re going to have to ask and answer some tough questions. Think of it like dealing with cancer - unless you know it’s there, and how bad it is, how can you possibly formulate a way to fight it?

Don’t be afraid of truth. Truth is power.

Let me also say this: if you’ve ever worked for a public institution, you know that things move relatively slowly through such systems - good AND bad.

People who work for the public good tend to believe very strongly in their mission. They don’t take kindly to someone like Trump rolling in and sh*tting on it.

They don’t necessarily see themselves working for a figure head; they usually see themselves working for a higher purpose.

This is to say: I still have faith that there are many, many patriots of every type and talent working around the clock in an attempt to win this battle. The cancer that is Trump didn’t overtake all of our public servants on January 20, 2017. It simply does not work that way.

There’s still plenty for US to do. We need to stay engaged, stay informed, and keep our wits. We need to think critically, and ask plenty of questions - even if we don't like the answers. Better to know and fight than to deny and lose.

One final thought, and I hope this is helpful. We’ve talked a lot about country over party. This applies to all of us. Here’s my own little exercise:

I think of all the times in my work life that I’ve been totally in agreement with someone - or in total disagreement - and it had zero to do with our political affiliation. I’m sure you’ve had a similar experience: if not at work then right here on this platform.

We truly have more in common than we don’t. As @therickwilson said in his latest piece, Trump and his wannabe oligarchs desperately want 2020 to be a culture war. Let’s deprive them of that.

Let’s have some faith in each other, in the goodness that we know is there, and in this beautiful dream of ours.

We have to do this, but more importantly, we CAN do this. We really can. The alternative is unacceptable.