In On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017), Timothy Snyder recommends reading books, and now would be the time to re-read On Tyranny in the light of Ukraine 2022 as well as in the light of our own tyranny of January 6, 2021. While you are at it, as Snyder recommends, go back to the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling and examine the psychology of tyranny in The Deathly Hallows. If you are wondering what is going on in Putin’s inner circle, reconsider Voldemort and his methods. Putin is Voldemort without a magic wand.
My fellow Americans,
Turn off the buzzing of the carrion flies circling our national death cult. Don’t let them lay their eggs in your brain.
Polish and sharpen your thinking.
Soften your heart.
Strengthen your sprine.
Stop whining about meaningless minor inconveniences.
Extend your tiny attention span – longer, wider, deeper. The decisions we make now, right now, will affect the next seven generations, and in fact the whole earth, for good or ill.
As Philip Appleman says in his prayer “O Karma, Dharma, Pudding and Pie”: “Make the bad people good – / and the good people nice; / and before our world goes over the brink, / teach the believers how to think.” Re-read On Tyranny because, as my mother taught me, “God gave you a brain and you are required to use it.”
Remember the old song by the Eurythmics (1983)? “Some of them want to use you. / Some of them want to get used by you. / Some of them want to abuse you. / Some of them want to be abused. . . . Who am I to disagree?” Disagree! Disagree with the bullies. Speak up against the tyrants. Voldemort is using and abusing many lives. There are bodies lying in the hall and the castle is falling into rubble. It is time to understand the past and stand up for the future.
Creating the Future by Choice 