What Shall We Do With a Would-Be Tyrant? (to the tune of “What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?”) Verse 1: What shall we do with a would-be tyrant, What shall we do with a would-be tyrant, What shall we do with a would-be tyrant, Early in the morning! Answer: Put him in the court and read the charges, Put him in the court and read the charges, Put him in the court and read the charges, Early in the morning! ...
🇺🇸 ROLL THE OLD REPUBLIC ALONG A Sea Shanty for Democracy (Traditional tune: “Roll the Old Chariot”) Here’s the original, in case you don’t know it: Verse 1 Oh, we’d be alright if the people stood as one — Oh, we’d be alright if the people stood as one — Oh, we’d be alright if the people stood as one — And we won’t be ruled by kings! ...
I said this last week, but, wow, what a week! Democracy continues to crumble. What a time to be alive. Timothy Snyder, “Hegseth puts us all at risk”: My historian colleagues might correct me, but I do not think anyone at least in recent history has done what Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is about to do: put all of the American generals and admirals from around the world into a single room (next week, in Virginia) just to say something to them. […] So why might Secretary Hegseth do such an extraordinary thing? Only four solutions to the puzzle come to mind. He has some trivial thing to say and does not understand the risks. He wishes to endanger the lives of the generals and admirals. He will stage a purge, perhaps involving a loyalty oath or something similar that requires personal presence. He will tell the commanders that henceforth their assignment will be to oppress American citizens (“homeland defense”). This could be combined with the third scenario: those who refuse will be fired. Perhaps others can think of other possibilities, but I am afraid that I cannot. ...
Wow, what a week. As democracy continues to crumble in the USA, I’ve made some updates to my “Resist” page. If you haven’t seen it, please check it out. I’d also draw your attention to my “Citizen’s Manifesto” post, in which I outline some “working principles for democratic renewal.” I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, if you give it a read. Some things I bought recently that I’d recommend: Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives (paid link) by Sam Parker Harbor Freight’s new ICON Magnetic Tool Mat Garden of Life’s Raw Organic Fiber (paid link) The Squatty Potty Toilet Stool (paid link) This rotating Pomodoro timer for focus and productivity (paid link) This small but incredibly powerful electric air duster (paid link) Here are some other things I came across that I found interesting: ...
Democracy is not a finished product but an ongoing experiment that demands constant deliberation, refinement, and renewal. The principles I outline here are working principles—I hold them with conviction while recognizing they must evolve through genuine democratic dialogue. Our constitutional framework in the United States of America was designed to be amended, our institutions to be improved, and our understanding of justice to deepen with experience and wisdom. The greatest threat to democracy is not disagreement about these principles, but the abandonment of our shared commitment to wrestling with them together in good faith. ...