Very insightful. In particular the reflection: "We are mourning preemptively: the things that makes the country decent are like loved ones taken hostage, or lying in hospice with terminal illness."
Sooooo, as a hospice (non-religious) chaplain for 10 years, I can tell you that while there IS what we call ‘anticipatory grief’ there is no definitive ‘preemptive grieving’ that can end before the death has occurred. In fact the pre-death time is the hardest precisely because the person is still alive, often lingering. So people are anxious and distracted until the other shoe drops and the person finally dies. I think thats why what is happening now with the fast moving orchestrated chaos of Trump/Elon and company is that it is still going with no sign of stopping. I know Brian you said the destruction will end, but until there is a defined, identifiable ‘death’ of some kind, Democrats and people who love democracy will be in a state of paralytic anxiety thinking that this ongoing chaos wont end. (Think: family member thinking that dying person will be in the worst of the active dying phase for the foreseeable future -forever-, derailing their lives, sucking all the money and energy of the family caregivers). We try to get people to see a ‘both-and’ scenario where they can both grieve AND take action, in their every days lives, to breathe, live their lives, and know that there WILL be an ‘other side’ of the sorrow and emptiness. Thank you Brian for identifying what’s going on right now, grieving a dying country’s phase of reasonableness, and needing to act to create a life and country we want.
This analysis by Mr. Beutler is an excellent and concise depiction of the political climate. His description of the Democratic party's operation as one borne of the 90s is spot on and made a light bulb go off in my head. It has not evolved in any manner to incorporate 21st century technology/strategies. The elderly leaders, bless their hearts, are plainly incapable and unwilling to adapt to the century's realities. It's a damned sad state of affairs. The war has been lost at this point. But, if Germany could rebound in 50 years to return to Europe's leadership so can America return to its prominence...not yet lost.
That's why I've stopped contributing to all the Dem organizations that keep asking me for funds. The Dems are traditionalists; they follow the rules! After all, the Republican voters (who won't vote for Dems, anyway) might get angry at them! So, we'll just let the GOP lie, steal and cheat, and we'll continue to lose elections.
I'll start to donate when Schumer grows a backbone. Hakeem Jeffries puts him to shame, as did Polosi before him. I need to see action--not mealy-mouth criticisms and excuses.
Every balanced, rational pundit I read writes nearly the same message. Assuming Dem leadership is rationally intelligent, give me leadership that rallies democracy's supporters against the incompetency, cruelty and violence of authoritarianism.
This is a brilliant important column. I wish all the potential DNC chairs would read it. I urge other readers to share it with their friends and with Democratic elected politicians.
I am heartened and enervated by the bold and straightforward yet sincere and sensitive initiatives you’re encouraging here, Brian. Lots of individuals have tried to describe and prescribe for the humane or Democratic program of work. You point to an approach which I think could be most effective and elicite least anger or blowback. May a brand of this action catch hold soon.
The Democrats have done and are doing a lousy job of "protecting the net" and then going on the offensive. Watch any hockey game and see what happens when the opposing team attacks the goalie with the puck. Also, I would be careful in being too quick to go to Fetterman, Gallego, and Slotkin. They have each (along with a number of other Democratic Senators - with friends like this....) voted for a number of Trump appointees, which is very disturbing. Hopefully they are not the next Manchin and Synema.....
“JD Vance is a craven fanatic who’s soft-boiled his brain in the pseudo-intellectual sludge of dictator apologetics.” I got to save that one. I’ll be quoting you.
You make yet another solid case for a shadow cabinet. We need knowledgable people who can keep abreast of both the operational and policy prescriptions in discrete areas of government. Those people need assistants and staff. They have to be willing to be a public face on their areas and preempt Trump when the 💩 flies. Assuming there are elections in November 2028, there is going to be a lot of work to do, and to do it at speed requires an infrastructure for each cabinet post.
Thank you Brian. In addition, every Dem message should include concrete examples of what federal employees do to protect us and what happens when Trump stops this. Most people have no idea. Time to start hacking away at the knee-jerk distrust of govt.
This is a terrific article. Laying out an actual plan for opposition and eventual restoration. I am completely down with that. I do however understand the chaos that has descended on the democratic party. The reality of Trumpism's attacks on democracy and decency and vulnerable groups, etc. is shocking and many are operating out of shock. They are in shut down mode. They are in denial. They are hoping it won't be that bad. But it is that bad and we all need shaken from our fear and desire to run and hide. People like Brian are doing the shaking. And while it may not seem like it right now - I mean we are only 12 days into this - people are beginning to awaken, and they are pissed. I am a pastor working in a couple of pretty progressive churches and that is what I am seeing. At first they were shocked and overwhelmed. But in quick succession they have moved from shock to sadness to - WTF - what are we going to do!!? So keep up the really good work Brian. Keep shaking!! And keep clear thinking. Thank you.
Brian, I find you one of the best and most psychologically sophisticated of the many people who are ruminating on how Democrats respond to Trump. There is also much that is right about this column. But it goes astray in one respect - namely its opening salvo in which it seeks to blame Trump in some measure for the plane crash. As much as one might want to believe Trump bears some responsibility for the crash, unless something specific emerges - like a Trump- inspired resignation of the second ATC who should have been on duty - the chance that Trump and his actions or those of his subordinates bear any responsibility for the crash is vanishingly small. One great asset Democrats have is truths are predominantly on their side as is human decency. They cannot afford to squander this asset to score points on a particular issue. They must weaponize truths and overclaiming/overblaming will do the opposite over the longer run. The proper Democratic response to the crash is first to refrain from politicizing it, emphasizing that there is no place for politics before the full story of the crash is known and people are in mourning. Second, to condemn Trump for immediately politicizing the crash and lying about its likely causes. Third, as you suggest, to warn about more such disasters in the future since Trump is putting a group of incompetents - dare I say loonies - in charge of government agencies and is threatening to substantially deplete the federal work force.
With respect to other aspects of the column, you are mainly spot on. Your call for leadership is particularly important. I think there should be a Democratic groundswell to enlist Obama as that leader. One reason is that rhetoric matters and Obama s rhetoric can be as compelling as Trump’s. Second is that Obama is respected by almost all Democrats. Third, unlike many other potential leaders Obama is done with electoral politics and so neither he nor his advisors will have their judgments distorted by self interest.
To facilitate making a case the Democrats should buy time for a five minute radio broadcast each week in which he summarizes the week’s actions by Trump and advises people on what they might do in response. AN additional virtue of Obama doing something presidential like this is that it will drive Trump crazy, and give Trump enough rope ….
I would just say there’s a difference between assigning blame and asking questions that should be investigated. I’ve only counseled the latter. I wrote a piece a few weeks back about “ethical demagoguery” that gets at my broader thinking about this facet of public communication.
Bro you should be the head of the DNC.
Very insightful. In particular the reflection: "We are mourning preemptively: the things that makes the country decent are like loved ones taken hostage, or lying in hospice with terminal illness."
Sooooo, as a hospice (non-religious) chaplain for 10 years, I can tell you that while there IS what we call ‘anticipatory grief’ there is no definitive ‘preemptive grieving’ that can end before the death has occurred. In fact the pre-death time is the hardest precisely because the person is still alive, often lingering. So people are anxious and distracted until the other shoe drops and the person finally dies. I think thats why what is happening now with the fast moving orchestrated chaos of Trump/Elon and company is that it is still going with no sign of stopping. I know Brian you said the destruction will end, but until there is a defined, identifiable ‘death’ of some kind, Democrats and people who love democracy will be in a state of paralytic anxiety thinking that this ongoing chaos wont end. (Think: family member thinking that dying person will be in the worst of the active dying phase for the foreseeable future -forever-, derailing their lives, sucking all the money and energy of the family caregivers). We try to get people to see a ‘both-and’ scenario where they can both grieve AND take action, in their every days lives, to breathe, live their lives, and know that there WILL be an ‘other side’ of the sorrow and emptiness. Thank you Brian for identifying what’s going on right now, grieving a dying country’s phase of reasonableness, and needing to act to create a life and country we want.
This analysis by Mr. Beutler is an excellent and concise depiction of the political climate. His description of the Democratic party's operation as one borne of the 90s is spot on and made a light bulb go off in my head. It has not evolved in any manner to incorporate 21st century technology/strategies. The elderly leaders, bless their hearts, are plainly incapable and unwilling to adapt to the century's realities. It's a damned sad state of affairs. The war has been lost at this point. But, if Germany could rebound in 50 years to return to Europe's leadership so can America return to its prominence...not yet lost.
That's why I've stopped contributing to all the Dem organizations that keep asking me for funds. The Dems are traditionalists; they follow the rules! After all, the Republican voters (who won't vote for Dems, anyway) might get angry at them! So, we'll just let the GOP lie, steal and cheat, and we'll continue to lose elections.
I'll start to donate when Schumer grows a backbone. Hakeem Jeffries puts him to shame, as did Polosi before him. I need to see action--not mealy-mouth criticisms and excuses.
Likewise and when they ask, I don't just delete, I tell them why not.
Yes, I also tell them "why not."
Outstanding.
Every balanced, rational pundit I read writes nearly the same message. Assuming Dem leadership is rationally intelligent, give me leadership that rallies democracy's supporters against the incompetency, cruelty and violence of authoritarianism.
In other words, Albert, we need Democratic leaders with a backbone!
Agreed. And we need Democratic leaders to actually read and absorb these messages.
This is a brilliant important column. I wish all the potential DNC chairs would read it. I urge other readers to share it with their friends and with Democratic elected politicians.
https://medium.com/@mcintire.jo/preemptive-mourning-860ac5abc5d9
I am heartened and enervated by the bold and straightforward yet sincere and sensitive initiatives you’re encouraging here, Brian. Lots of individuals have tried to describe and prescribe for the humane or Democratic program of work. You point to an approach which I think could be most effective and elicite least anger or blowback. May a brand of this action catch hold soon.
Thank you, Brian.
I am with you 100% and yes - keep it coming Brian. I wrote to my Senators and quoted you if you don't mind :)
Great work, Brian. Keep it coming.
The Democrats have done and are doing a lousy job of "protecting the net" and then going on the offensive. Watch any hockey game and see what happens when the opposing team attacks the goalie with the puck. Also, I would be careful in being too quick to go to Fetterman, Gallego, and Slotkin. They have each (along with a number of other Democratic Senators - with friends like this....) voted for a number of Trump appointees, which is very disturbing. Hopefully they are not the next Manchin and Synema.....
I think they already have.
“JD Vance is a craven fanatic who’s soft-boiled his brain in the pseudo-intellectual sludge of dictator apologetics.” I got to save that one. I’ll be quoting you.
You make yet another solid case for a shadow cabinet. We need knowledgable people who can keep abreast of both the operational and policy prescriptions in discrete areas of government. Those people need assistants and staff. They have to be willing to be a public face on their areas and preempt Trump when the 💩 flies. Assuming there are elections in November 2028, there is going to be a lot of work to do, and to do it at speed requires an infrastructure for each cabinet post.
Keep pounding that drum, Brian.
Thank you Brian. In addition, every Dem message should include concrete examples of what federal employees do to protect us and what happens when Trump stops this. Most people have no idea. Time to start hacking away at the knee-jerk distrust of govt.
This is a terrific article. Laying out an actual plan for opposition and eventual restoration. I am completely down with that. I do however understand the chaos that has descended on the democratic party. The reality of Trumpism's attacks on democracy and decency and vulnerable groups, etc. is shocking and many are operating out of shock. They are in shut down mode. They are in denial. They are hoping it won't be that bad. But it is that bad and we all need shaken from our fear and desire to run and hide. People like Brian are doing the shaking. And while it may not seem like it right now - I mean we are only 12 days into this - people are beginning to awaken, and they are pissed. I am a pastor working in a couple of pretty progressive churches and that is what I am seeing. At first they were shocked and overwhelmed. But in quick succession they have moved from shock to sadness to - WTF - what are we going to do!!? So keep up the really good work Brian. Keep shaking!! And keep clear thinking. Thank you.
https://medium.com/@mcintire.jo/preemptive-mourning-860ac5abc5d9
Brian, I find you one of the best and most psychologically sophisticated of the many people who are ruminating on how Democrats respond to Trump. There is also much that is right about this column. But it goes astray in one respect - namely its opening salvo in which it seeks to blame Trump in some measure for the plane crash. As much as one might want to believe Trump bears some responsibility for the crash, unless something specific emerges - like a Trump- inspired resignation of the second ATC who should have been on duty - the chance that Trump and his actions or those of his subordinates bear any responsibility for the crash is vanishingly small. One great asset Democrats have is truths are predominantly on their side as is human decency. They cannot afford to squander this asset to score points on a particular issue. They must weaponize truths and overclaiming/overblaming will do the opposite over the longer run. The proper Democratic response to the crash is first to refrain from politicizing it, emphasizing that there is no place for politics before the full story of the crash is known and people are in mourning. Second, to condemn Trump for immediately politicizing the crash and lying about its likely causes. Third, as you suggest, to warn about more such disasters in the future since Trump is putting a group of incompetents - dare I say loonies - in charge of government agencies and is threatening to substantially deplete the federal work force.
With respect to other aspects of the column, you are mainly spot on. Your call for leadership is particularly important. I think there should be a Democratic groundswell to enlist Obama as that leader. One reason is that rhetoric matters and Obama s rhetoric can be as compelling as Trump’s. Second is that Obama is respected by almost all Democrats. Third, unlike many other potential leaders Obama is done with electoral politics and so neither he nor his advisors will have their judgments distorted by self interest.
To facilitate making a case the Democrats should buy time for a five minute radio broadcast each week in which he summarizes the week’s actions by Trump and advises people on what they might do in response. AN additional virtue of Obama doing something presidential like this is that it will drive Trump crazy, and give Trump enough rope ….
I would just say there’s a difference between assigning blame and asking questions that should be investigated. I’ve only counseled the latter. I wrote a piece a few weeks back about “ethical demagoguery” that gets at my broader thinking about this facet of public communication.
Also, thank you for the kind note.
https://medium.com/@mcintire.jo/preemptive-mourning-860ac5abc5d9
Would be more effective if Obama could get a spot on television and posted the same speech online.