Thread by @GoldyHA

1/ I think it's time to come to terms with the fact that we are in the midst of a cold civil war. And I don't use the term "war" lightly or metaphorically. Whether or not it ever turns hot (with pitched battles between armies or militia), this is war. And violence will escalate.

2/ In Pittsburgh and in Charlottesville and throughout our nation, organized sectarian violence has already occurred. Trump's public attacks on Rep. @IlhanMN can only be understood in this context as a knowing incitement of sectarian violence.

3/ And of course, Trump's claim that "it would be very bad, very bad" for Democrats if his "tough people" (police, military, bikers) were to "play it tougher," can only be understood as an explicit threat of violence against his political opponents and their supporters.

4/ We small "d" democrats and small "r" republicans—we in the non-Christianist, non-theocratic, non-authoritarian, non-white-nationalist majority—did not want or start this war. But we're going to have to fight it. At the polls, of course. But...

5/ ... I'm afraid that elections—even if free and fair (and in many swing states like like WI, NC, GA, FL they clearly aren't)—will not be enough. The other side is fighting a war, and they won't let a mere ballot box stand in their way.

6/ I'm not sure that we can win this war and preserve our republic without taking to the streets in mass protests, national strikes, and other forms of civil (and uncivil) disobedience... fully aware that Trump's "tough people" are itching to bash heads or open fire.

7/ Violent clashes would likely occur. Some of us would surely be injured, imprisoned, or killed. But given our superior numbers, mass action (and the accompanying threat of a massive economic meltdown) may be our best (or only) path to victory... before it's too late.

8/ To be clear, I am not advocating for the escalation of violence. I'm just coming to terms with the fact that, one way or the other, it may be unavoidable. For the violence won't stop with the other side's ascendance.

9/ As a Jew, born less than two decades from the end of the Holocaust, imbued with the full benefit of historical hindsight, I cannot think of anything more SHAMEFUL than to passively allow myself or others fall victim to the nascent fascist regime I clearly see trying to form.

10/ Perhaps I'll fight, perhaps I'll flee. There's honor in both. But to silently and passively stand by and trust our democratic institutions as our government builds concentration camps for brown people along our southern border, would be both shameful and stupid.

11/ I hope I'm wrong, & this all can be settled civilly at the polls. But if the other side wants violence as much as they repeatedly say they want violence, the only options are to flee, to submit, or to fight back. Sorry for the long dark thread, but that's how war works.
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