A century ago, Germany’s democracy was hijacked by a bombastic and charismatic tyrant — and in this five-minute video, you’ll learn how he did it. Why did I produce this? Because I believe that history is speaking to us, and all too often, those who refuse to learn from it are doomed to repeat it.
As you watch, imagine filling out a Bingo card filled with Germany 1933/USA 2024 parallels: big rallies, rage-filled and hateful rhetoric, simple answers promising quick and easy solutions to complicated problems, empty promises of a great-again future, scapegoating outsiders, and political enemies silenced on day one. And notice the caring wisdom and concern from my German friends as they share these lessons from their dark history.
It’s hard to understand how Trump could, on the eve of a tight election, paint a picture of Liz Cheney before a firing squad by actually saying, “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? And let’s see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face.” You can’t get into the mind of a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power — but you can recognize the playbook they all seem to follow.
Just watch this clip. It’s excerpted from my hourlong public television special “The Story of Fascism in Europe,” which is streaming free (and ad-free) at https://t.co/YA10kVH0V8. If you care about our democracy and love our country, it’s hard to stop watching.
When I produced this in 2018, I hoped this day would never come in our country. But November 5th is upon us. Please share this with anyone in your life who might need a reminder that the stakes are high...and this is very real.
My mom just told me she cancelled her subscription to The Washington Post. She reads every one of my stories. It was a heartbreaking call.
I understand why she did it, but I asked her to reconsider. To anyone who has cancelled or is thinking about cancelling, here’s what I said:
Grief is not a purely negative emotion. Over time, it becomes bittersweet—sadness is joined by love and gratitude.
Nostalgia is a healthy response to loss. Longing for the past motivates us to appreciate the present and improve the future.
The goal of coping is not to erase pain. It's to gain purpose.
HOLY SMOKES!
Rep. Jasmine Crockett just demolished Republicans during today's "US House Hearing on Biden/Harris Policies".
This is viral material. This woman is going places in US politics.
Afghanistan’s iconic singer Aryana Sayeed sings “Freedom” for the women recently banned from speaking and showing their faces in public by the Taliban, at the Melbourne Film Festival. Afghan women need more strong voices like hers to join their fight for freedom.
In his General Audience address on Aug. 28 centered on the plight of migrants, Pope Francis said, “The Lord is with our migrants...not with those who repel them.“ https://t.co/D6RbF4QtGD
Being obsessed with happiness can make us unhappy.
Joy doesn't arise from ruminating about our emotions. It comes from immersing ourselves in worthwhile experiences.
Happiness is not a goal to pursue. It's a byproduct of leading a life of meaning and engagement.
@Trevornoah
I’ve read some great books over the last few months and wanted to share some of my favorites. Let me know if you have any recommendations for books I should check out!
My latest in @americamag.
It’s also a story about how something that happened at the final Mass of @OutrchCatholic conference helped me to think about my experience at National Congress of the @euchrevival_.
https://t.co/yHITtOh6T1
I've been a bit disillusioned with the state of our politics and our nation ... and today I paused & looked at a time when we had good, decent leadership on both sides of the aisle.
As a nation, we can & must do better.
#PowerPAC#VoteHope
https://t.co/Rc5tQWJmPS
It is scandalous that we live in a society where the rich become richer at the expense of the poor who become poorer —St Oscar Romero, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B), 1979. Read/listen at https://t.co/wJ7hLgzg2T #StOscarRomero#Scandal