@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara Not in the midst. I am about 30m out from the city center. I have lived closer in years past. Frankly the city has changed v.much for many reasons. Incl the tech boom. But also the less than thought out social policies.
A complex subject...In v.short the initiative to
A complex subject...In v.short the initiative to
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 2/ ban the police, and create some sort of 'people governing people' heaven is nice to consider, but so deeply flawed, largely due to being so shallow and dismissive of basic facts/truths/learnings that it is doomed to fail before it begins.
This creates a great deal of friction
This creates a great deal of friction
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 3/ A great deal of heat & smoke, but no "fire", no work. In the end power gets distributed as it will, but along dominance lines. And so the thing that is supposedly being "torn down" and resisted - an authoritarian state, begins to seed and grow, like a weed, almost instantly.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 4/ The experience in Seattle was crushing along these lines. And moreso in Portland, 180mi south.
These forces took control of a few blocks of old Seattle, called Capital Hill, banished the police, and set up their own presumed "police free" system. It collapsed within days.
These forces took control of a few blocks of old Seattle, called Capital Hill, banished the police, and set up their own presumed "police free" system. It collapsed within days.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 5/ I could go on about it. Basically, as you read my basic premise's, they were systemically flawed. Like trying to build a house from the roof to the foundation. Ill thought out. Certain about what they were against, and only a fuzzy idea what institutions & systems are,
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 6/ & what is necessary to actually have a functioning society.
The central issue that must be addressed somehow in order to have such a society is a cohesive, axiomatic understanding of power.
How this is addressed in setting up the structure of any society defines how that
The central issue that must be addressed somehow in order to have such a society is a cohesive, axiomatic understanding of power.
How this is addressed in setting up the structure of any society defines how that
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 7/ society can develop and function.
This point requires a thesis paper, or a book to work out and example. I'll just note that the underlying structure of a thing defines what it is possible to grow into, as well as its limits.
America, for all its faults, has this one thing
This point requires a thesis paper, or a book to work out and example. I'll just note that the underlying structure of a thing defines what it is possible to grow into, as well as its limits.
America, for all its faults, has this one thing
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 8/ as the core reason for any "greatness" it has. (A term muddied by Trump & trumpism, who understand nothing about what actually makes/made America unique and *potentially* great.)
Ie, the core notions re power
. rule of law
. no one above the law
. consent of governed
Ie, the core notions re power
. rule of law
. no one above the law
. consent of governed
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 9/ . power exercised at the lowest level possible. (ie, from federal to city/neighborhood)
and of course the basic structural attempt to create a balance of power in the form of the governmental functions/offices.
And etc. Sorry for the side bar. You know all this, of course.
and of course the basic structural attempt to create a balance of power in the form of the governmental functions/offices.
And etc. Sorry for the side bar. You know all this, of course.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 10/ Point: The protesters, like in Seattle, come in broadly 2 forms. Those who are wanting the system to function according to its principles and values, and are calling out the errors. And those who have decided, for whatever reason, to tear it all down and start anew.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 11/ Problem is...they are not deeply rooted in any idea sufficient to actually create anything new. So what emerges is the same old old thing.
Which is what happened in Seattle.
Which excuses absolutely none of the insane police abuse.
Which is what happened in Seattle.
Which excuses absolutely none of the insane police abuse.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 12/ You may be aware of @BretWeinstein and his wife who taught at a progressive school in Wa, Evergreen. If you are not, you should look him up. He was on @joerogan a few times & his story became national news.
He also has a podcast that is ... at least interesting.
He also has a podcast that is ... at least interesting.
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 13/ He, and his brother for that matter, is deeply rooted in progressive ideals, but informed by science, logic, and philosophy. He also lives in Portland and has been reporting from the front lines about what is going on there.
He takes a counter intuitive stand. But one
He takes a counter intuitive stand. But one
@medit8now @aravosis @davidfrum @ericswalwell @PreetBharara 14/ that I agree w generally. He is similar to Lawrence Lessing in that he has an idea about what is broken about our political system and how to address it.
If you are interested I suggest you take a spin.
If you are interested I suggest you take a spin.
