“On Tyranny” - Chapter 17: “Listen for dangerous words”
By now, many of us are aware of the various “dog whistles” in use along the political spectrum. However, there are a few that bear special attention.
Snyder points to “exception” and “extremism” as two major terms to keep an eye out for. An authoritarian will not flinch at declaring a state of emergency and use that as an exceptional circumstances to suspend the rule of law.
As for extremists and extremism, this refers to any and all whose views are in opposition to the regime’s. Anyone holding those views is a de facto extremist.
“Extremism certainly sounds bad, and governments often try to make it sound worse by using the word terrroriism in the same sentence.” However, as Snyder points out, “there is no doctrine called extremism.” Again, tyrants only use the term to isolate and target those whom they deem outside their mainstream. Dissidents in the twentieth century, resisting whatever form of oppression, were called extremists.
I want to return to “exception”, though, since the current occupant has floated ideas of invoking various emergency measures. He spoke of having to invade California to release water to staunch the fires that raged throughout the state. This claim is false on so many levels to be laughable, as many of his claims are, but there is an after-effect: knowing that he will make outrageous claims and that he has control off the government, it is extremely plausible that at any given moment, he is likely to declare a state of emergency.
He will find an “exceptional circumstance” - it could be an environmental catastrophe, a power outage, or a purely fabricated event - and it is highly likely that, given the make-up of the legislature, any declaration will be supported to meet the “exceptional circumstance.”
The tactic of “flooding the zone” that this administration employs is less about policy than about escalating tension and confusion. There is a very conscious attempt here to construct situations and problems that can only be solved dramatically.
To be sure, recently, we’ve seen two examples of successful legal challenges to the occupier’s policies. A federal court in Northern California overturned the Office of Personnel Management’s recent firings of probationary employees, reinstating, effective immediately, those employees who were let go. A judge also ruled in favor of a law firm that was being sued by the current occupier in the White House on the grounds that the suit was brought solely as a retaliatory measure of a personal vendetta on the occupier’s part. The judge cited the overreach and illegality and the suit is now dismissed.
In the case of the federal judge’s ruling against the OPM, the judge pressed the issue that a representative from the OPM was not present for cross examination and this was because they would have to reveal the truth of the matter. The judge called out the attorney for the OPM for knowing full well the illegality of the situation, the indefensibility of the suit.
In both circumstances, the facts were stated plainly. There was no obfuscation; the rulings were clear and if the wheels of justice seem to move agonizingly slowly, consider how quickly these matters were resolved. The regime has only been in power since January 6. The firings began on February 14. Four weeks later, a federal judge stood fast and ruled against the regime.
In both instances, the regime was not able to obfuscate or hide behind language. Facts won. Similarly, as we move forward through this era, all the prior suggestions Snyder has laid out become more operative.
Each chapter grows in building up to growing resolve. In many ways, read sequentially, Snyder’s book is a step-by-step guide to dealing with the formerly unthinkable.
It’s important to remember that the only “extremists" are the ones in offices of power.
Bibliography
Snyder, Timothy. On Tyranny - Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. Crown Publishing. New York. 2017..
I don’t have to add a lot here in terms of what we will likely be called on to do. You will read, again and again, how important it is to contact your reps, to volunteer your time, to march in protest, and to help where you can/as you can.
Two places to start with:
Mobilize at https://www.mobilize.us/. I have the landing page set to my area; populated with events, petitions, and volunteer opportunities, it’s practically one-stop shopping.
Indivisible at https://indivisible.org/ is another comprehensive hub. You can sign up for updates, download their guide to organizaing, find candidates to support, and more.
If you don't have a copy of "On Tyranny", you can purchase one here:
"On Tyranny" at Timothy Snyder's website where he lists several options. Support local bookstores and buy local or check it out from your local library.
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