I read King's letter for the first time a couple of nights ago, thanks to this recommendation. As is well known, King writes, in part, on the question of civil disobedience and the moral duty to violate unjust laws—and to accept the legal consequences of violating them. /1
I believe many of us will face this question in the very near future, and here's why. Although we've lived for decades in a mostly liberal, rights-respecting society, this is changing swiftly. /2
For the moment, our familiar laws and rights mostly remain in force, and much of our opposition is focused on *policies and actions* carried out by governments and corporations. We often refer back to these laws and to our rights when making our case. /3
But soon, the legal framework itself will be seen to have altered: words may remain but will have new definitions, judgments will change the way laws are interpreted, and new laws will come onto the books, passed by legislatures with illiberal values. /4
A near-term example of this is formal FDA approval for the vaccines. For months, we have relied on the fact that only "emergency authorization" allowed their use, and that meant that we were on solid legal ground to refer to them as "experimental". /5
This fall, the Biden admin (obv I'm using the US as an example here) will likely strong-arm the FDA into a full approval. At that point, the power structures of society will turn to the unvaccinated and say "These are approved treatments. On what grounds do you object?" /6
Similarly, in France, the vax passes have arrived through an ordered process of executive-legislative-judicial procedure. The tyranny has arrived in proper packaging, correctly labelled, with a bow on it. /7
In this new framework, we supporters of human freedom and rights will no longer be able to say to governments "You are violating the law!", because the law will have caught up. Everything will be in order. /8
And we will have to look into our hearts and ask ourselves whether we should follow in Dr. King's footsteps—and whether we have the courage to do so. Everything from that decision onward will be different.
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Just struck me that the escalating conflict between the Deep State and populism is a kind of internal Thucydides trap. The Deep State felt it was the permanent hegemon and was surprised by the emergence of a challenger. Now it overreacts to every event, ratcheting toward war.
This cropped up because I've been pondering the "how did liberals turn into totalitarians?" question. I think part of the answer is that they frightened themselves with the Trump boogieman so thoroughly that all means to "stop him" became legitimate. Hence "punch a Nazi". /2
Post-Trump, the mentality shifted to the "hidden threat" from his supporters (now morphing into "those anti-vaxxers"). Again, if all means remain legitimate to stop him, then the state in its full power can be deployed. All dissent becomes treason. All dissenters suspects.
If only 5% refuse the vax pass, the System will roll over them smoothly. Refusers will be invisible.
If 35% refuse the vax pass, the System will strain and may, at points, seize up. People will notice the failures; resolve will weaken.
Remember too that as nefarious as the vax pass is in conception, it is also a reckless gamble by the elites. What they are starting is not to cast some well-defined "out group" to the wolves, but to split families, split institutions, split *militaries* down the middle.
All elements of their social and political power will be weakened by this "great fissure", and in place of cohesion and obedience (their aim) they'll reap discord, suspicion, confusion, and deep resentment at what is being done to family members, colleagues, comrades in arms.