I was stunned to learn that Russia is keeping their wounded/returned POWs at a staging area rather than returning them home. Vlad's comments presage an enormous effect in Russia in the future.
Great discussion. Claire, I'd say Americans are considerably more culpable than Russians in acquiescing to what their leaders are doing. Americans voted for Trump in a free and fair election, having witnessed him try to overturn the previous one in broad daylight. And those who still support him now are affirmatively endorsing authoritarianism. The costs to resistance, activism etc, are far lower than in Russia. Free speech still exists and the court system works.
Your criticism of the media and the internet is valid but honestly, being propagandised is still a choice: unlike in Russia, alternatives to the bilge served up on OAN or Newsmax are freely available. A healthy democracy is one in which citizens have enormous agency - if we deny them this, what are we even fighting against? We can have empathy for their falling into the trap of being brainwashed by ruthlessly effective propaganda but that doesn't mean we shouldn't condemn them for the basic civic failing of taking leave of their critical thought.
Trump is actively counting on the apathy of Americans, on their moral disengagement and democratic fatigue. The least we can do is to call out those guilty of it, those who've failed to hold to the standard of responsible citizens.
I was stunned to learn that Russia is keeping their wounded/returned POWs at a staging area rather than returning them home. Vlad's comments presage an enormous effect in Russia in the future.
Thank you - Hundreds of thousands of veterans will be returning to Russia and will care immense issues
Great discussion. Claire, I'd say Americans are considerably more culpable than Russians in acquiescing to what their leaders are doing. Americans voted for Trump in a free and fair election, having witnessed him try to overturn the previous one in broad daylight. And those who still support him now are affirmatively endorsing authoritarianism. The costs to resistance, activism etc, are far lower than in Russia. Free speech still exists and the court system works.
Your criticism of the media and the internet is valid but honestly, being propagandised is still a choice: unlike in Russia, alternatives to the bilge served up on OAN or Newsmax are freely available. A healthy democracy is one in which citizens have enormous agency - if we deny them this, what are we even fighting against? We can have empathy for their falling into the trap of being brainwashed by ruthlessly effective propaganda but that doesn't mean we shouldn't condemn them for the basic civic failing of taking leave of their critical thought.
Trump is actively counting on the apathy of Americans, on their moral disengagement and democratic fatigue. The least we can do is to call out those guilty of it, those who've failed to hold to the standard of responsible citizens.