Violence has often scarred American politics. There was systematic terrorism from the KKK aimed at Black voters. Pinkertons versus labor unions. Unrest in cities in the 1960s. The violence aimed at the marchers in Selma. And, of course, the assassinations of presidents and other leaders.
Now we are in the middle of what seems to be another historic wave of violence. The shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise, the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, the attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, the threats against Republican members of Congress for refusing to support Rep. Jim Jordan’s run for speaker of the House, and more all reflect this intense and angry moment.
Last week, the Brennan Center released an important and timely report documenting the growing problem of abuse, threats, and violence directed at state and local elected officials. The top-level numbers are extremely troubling. At the state level, 43 percent of legislators have experienced threats, and 38 percent reported that the amount of abuse they experience has increased since first taking public office, while only […]
Stephan I enjoyed your background on Earth Ancients, hence signed up to your newsletter after listening. I didn’t know I was signing up to blog promoting the Democratic Party and demonising the Republicans! Get back to what you know best and leave the politics out of it. Whether its a racist, sexist Republican or a war mongering Democrat, most politicians conform to the eilte in society and do very little to serve the people. Its just not worth your time favouring one over the other. Perhaps an independent is the best course for making real change in this country.
John —
You have seriously misread me. As I say repeatedly on my podcasts and in my web publication SR. My interest in politics is entirely anthropological, as one would study a tribe or cult. What I care about is fostering wellbeing, and my evaluation of that is entirely based on objectively verifiable facts. What you read as partisanship is because you don’t seem to know the actual facts.
— Stephan