Thread by @trygveolson

FAITH OR FEAR THREAD
For two decades I worked with those fighting for democracy & against the most repressive non-democratic forces globally. Today, that battle has come home.
@reedgalen @TheRickWilson @SteveSchmidtSES @JoeTrippi @LincolnWatchman @stuartpstevens @ProjectLincoln

My presentations on democracy began with a simple premise. All nations are governed by faith through ballot boxes or in the streets by fear. Whether the nation is a member of the community of democracies, one taking life, or under autocratic rule, the starting point is the same.

This past week has shown many instances of the rising fear in America – the willingness to use the six tactics all non-democratic actors deploy to achieve their aim: to gain and then maintain power.

For the sake of those who have missed my previous threads (follow me and check them out), they are: 1) Big Lies/Big Ideas. 2) Marginalization. 3) Dependency. 4) Disinformation/Malinformation 5) Divide and Conquer and 6) Threats Repression and Violence.

In a moment, I will review a few of them, but first I want to give you the story of the genesis of this lesson learned long ago in Nigeria. It comes from a draft I have been working for a book on these topics.

On a night long before, I sat in a desolate and dilapidated part of rural Nigeria. My presence there centered on helping with the success of upcoming elections. These would be the first since the military took control after the last civil war.

While poking at a mystery meat dinner, I listened to a man speak with emotional scars on his face, forehead, cheeks, & arms. Each former wound an inescapable medal of those wars' past. He spoke as two peers from the opposite sides of the fighting sat around the table with us.

"The success," the old Nigerian warrior said softly, "of elections in our country aren't decided by those who win and take power." After a subtle breath, his gaze started drifting towards the others with a mix of caution and anxiety.

Finally, his dark eyes moved back, locking into mine. "Rather, ' he continued, 'they are determined by how long those who lose accept the outcome before taking up arms to overthrow those who won."

The question we must ask is, are those who lost in the United States, reaching such a point? One where they lose faith in the ballot box & stop accepting rule by those who were elected? I would argue, far too many Americans are moving in this direction.

Example #1 – Big Lies/Big Ideas

Illiberal actors must live in the present, so too must their defenders – amplifiers of the Big Lies. Here it is a Newsmax host and Joe Saboe, an Iraqi War Veteran who is working to help get Afghani’s who helped us out of the country.

Here is a story from @cbsdenver on Joe’s amazing humanity and work

denver.cbslocal.com/2021/08/26/tea…

Here is a clip when suggesting the situation we face in the country – & those Joe is trying to help–was born of multiple administrations of both parties. In the illiberal vertical of Trumpism they met any question of the leader with rage

https://twitter.com/JasonSCampbell/status/1438503498690154497?s=20

.

Example #2 – Marginalization
Another example from this week is Anthony Gonzalez (@RepAGonzalez)a former NFL player and once-rising star in the GOP, who represents Ohio 16 in the House. He voted for impeachment.

Donald Trump came to campaign for his opponent. Yesterday he announced his retirement. In the statement, he cited family and the “toxic environment.” Trump of course claimed victory (a tactic of marginalization too)

politico.com/news/2021/09/1…

Example #3 – Dependency
The next person I want to highlight is @Mike_Pence. You remember him? He is the guy now sitting in a coffee shop (I don’t think he goes to bars) saying, “I had this job and my boss, and the job, nearly killed me.”

Anyway, he is now back and laying the groundwork to attempt a Presidential run. Here is a story on CNN about that.

cnn.com/2021/09/17/pol…

The problem @mikepence has is, Donald Trump. First, if Trump runs there is no space for anyone else. According to @Emersonpolling Trump would be at 67% and @mikePence is at 6%.

https://twitter.com/EmersonPolling/status/1433550803697115141?s=20

If Trump doesn’t run, @mikepence goes to 24%, but is dependent on getting Trump’s endorsement (they all are) to get the nod.

Given this from @realbobwoodward and @costareports new book which came out this week – not likely.

independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…

Example #4 – Disinformation
There were many examples being used. This by @GOPleader is a good example, "Gavin Newsom has all the money, we just have the issues on our side," said McCarthy, adding, "Just getting it to a recall is a pretty big victory in itself."

What is the disinformation in this? Well, California has one of the lowest recall thresholds in the country for starters. Second, when the votes actually came in the results were overwhelming. As @madrid_mike pointed out: "you can’t build a movement based on what you’re against."

Example #5 – Divide and Conquer
This one is the place where the tactics meet. Given the plethora of choices, I am going to go with Trump endorsing @lizcheney’s primary opponent. If you want to see how to deal with this read Liz’s master’s class response.

theguardian.com/us-news/2021/s…

Example #6 – Threats, Repression, & Violence
Finally – there is the rally in Washington on Saturday, by a group of people who seem to want to equate those being held over the January 6th Riot at the Capital with Alexander Navaly and true political prisoners everywhere.

That infuriates me. I have friends in Belarus who actually are prisoners of conscience. Here is @georgewbush’s take, thank you Mr. President for speaking the truth that violent extremists in the US and abroad are “children of the same foul spirit."

cnbc.com/2021/09/11/for…

So there is the week in review. If you missed @iamjohnoliver's incredible takedown of Alexander Lukashenko check that out -- buy a bear to support those fighting for democracy there too!

https://twitter.com/iamjohnoliver/status/1437439667859824646