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25 Nov 20, 6 tweets, 1 min read
THREAD

INTERPRETING TRUMP'S COUP CORRECTLY

If Trump's coup fails, many people will erroneously conclude that "the system worked," rather than that "the system is on the verge of collapse."

1/5
This flawed reasoning will have the troubling effect of reinforcing beliefs in American exceptionalism, setting us up for potentially greater danger in 2024.

2/5
Yet it is amply clear that Trump's attempted coup has already set profoundly damaging precedents—by normalizing efforts to endlessly and baselessly contest elections and by introducing new and even more extreme tactics for electoral theft.

3/5
The coup has also had the effect of further radicalizing certain segments of the populace—radicalization that is largely only possible because of the extreme economic inequality that we tolerate in our society.

4/5
Bottom line: if we manage to make it past 2020—and only time will tell—we have received the gift of four more years to take transformative action to remedy our country's democratic protections and social policies, lest we wish to continue on a downward path.

5/5
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More from @1JoshGreenberg

Josh Greenberg Profile picture
7 Jan
THREAD

THE ROLE OF THE PEOPLE IN RESISTING TYRANNY

In government, the people are the ultimate institution where power lies, serving as the backstop against tyranny when all other systems fail.

1/
When those in office refuse a peaceful transition of power, it is the duty of the people to ensure a proper transition.

When the checks and balances in the system of government fail to function properly, it is the duty of the people to restore the social order.

2/
When truth does not prevail and instead becomes perverted in the interest of oppression, it is the duty of the people to reestablish shared reality, community, and trust.

3/
Read 18 tweets
Josh Greenberg Profile picture
27 Dec 20
THREAD

TRUMP: A REINCARNATION OF IDI AMIN

Let me tell you the story—the nightmare—of Idi Amin in Uganda. Because it is about time that Americans start learning a few things from Africans.

1/
In 1971, Amin, as the head of the Ugandan military, was facing likely prosecution for the misappropriation of army funds.

So he decided to launch a military coup to seize power. The coup was hardly the first time that Amin’s elite status enabled him to escape justice.

2/ Amin at his swearing-in.
While Amin had only a 4th-grade education and was repeatedly derided as “stupid,” he was doubtless a good fighter.

In the 1950s and 60s, he had ascended the ranks of the British Colonial Army and later the Ugandan Army, culminating in his 1970 appointment as military chief.

3/ Amin with a rocket launcher.
Read 43 tweets
Josh Greenberg Profile picture
13 Dec 20
THREAD

THE NEXT PHASE OF TRUMP’S COUP

Round 1 of Trump’s coup was the election, while Round 2 has been his efforts to discredit the election’s outcome and contest it in court.

Now, we are entering Round 3—the much darker and far more dangerous phase of the coup.

1/
Trump’s attack on America is hardly over. But ever since the General Services Administration authorized the release of transition funds—which was probably only a strategic concession by the Trump administration—many Americans have checked out.

2/
But as the recent events in our capitol should demonstrate, the coming weeks may well be the most perilous stretch that our country has ever faced.

Before highlighting what we must expect in this period, let’s review some background, including the current state of the coup.

3/
Read 33 tweets
Josh Greenberg Profile picture
25 Nov 20
THREAD

JUSTICE FOR TRUMP-RELATED CRIMES

For the sake of both principle and precedent, and for the long-term preservation of our society, our country must bring the perpetrators of Trump administration crimes to justice.

1/8
But the difficult reality is that justice will be damaging if we do not first establish truth. In a society with two different conceptions of reality, efforts toward justice, no matter how legitimate, will only be interpreted as vengeance by the opposing side.

2/8
The result will be to drive further division and hasten social collapse. The bifurcation of the country and the current rightwing reaction reflects this troubling fact.

3/8
Read 9 tweets
Josh Greenberg Profile picture
10 Nov 20
THREAD

UNDERSTANDING TRUMP’S COUP STRATEGY

Although everything currently unfolding has been predicted far in advance, denialism continues to flourish. Many people are drawing incorrect conclusions with regard to Trump’s strategies and discounting the crisis before us.

1/
But now, more than ever, we need a clearsighted approach to defeat Trump.

This thread is meant to clear up key questions and to highlight crucial strategic considerations at play.

2/
Let’s first be clear about the two distinct but interrelated problems facing our country: (1) a potentially successful coup by Trump and (2) the risk of civil conflict. I will address each of these issues in turn.

3/
Read 47 tweets
Josh Greenberg Profile picture
9 Nov 20
THREAD

POLARIZATION AS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT

While Biden’s victory is thrilling, the difficult truth is that our country remains as polarized as ever. Take a moment to review the rhetoric emanating from the opposing side, and this fact will be obvious.

1/20
Moreover, while we keep hearing that “the people have spoken,” Biden won with just 51 percent of the popular vote. Many citizens who did not vote for Biden remain adamantly opposed to him.

2/20
While it is enticing to gloat in the victory of one’s political tribe, we also need to swallow a dose of reality and remain focused on the road ahead.

The electoral triumph is a critical first step in paving a better future—but that is all.

3/20
Read 20 tweets

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