No. We've been quite critical of DeSantis's illiberalism.. and will continue to be. But we also need to remember the unique existential danger that Trump poses. DeSantis is awful, and we're never going to support him, but a reminder: no one is as bad as Trump.
No. We've been quite critical of DeSantis's illiberalism.. and will continue to be. But we also need to remember the unique existential danger that Trump poses. DeSantis is awful, and we're never going to support him, but a reminder: no one is as bad as Trump.
This might well be right, but it seems rather absolute. History is full of examples of assumptions of what can't happen being proven wrong. John Sedgewick comes to mind.
You've definitely been willing to criticize DeSantis, but I think we may be operating from a different definition of "existential danger".
Trump's authoritarianism was always performative above all else. He persecuted his enemies purely for show, and if the audience stopped applauding he would move on to something else. Sure, he was cruel and capricious, but like a dangerous animal he could be controlled and managed.
DeSantis on the other hand is ideologically driven. DeSantis really believes wiping out LGBT and "woke" people is the right thing and that no one less than god has appointed him to that purpose. He can't be reasoned with. You won't distract him with shiny cameras or cheering audiences.
And we've seen this in action. Trump wasted his oppressive efforts on dumb, broad overreach that was 90% signaling and would almost always be thrown out by the courts. He couldn't indulge his worst instincts because there were enough people on both sides there to stand in the way. DeSantis on the other hand has the veneer of normality and the knowledge to push his laws through. He's already turned Florida into a hellscape for LGBT people and teachers. He's arresting voters who haven't committed any crime other than trying to do that the state said they could. He redrew the Florida electoral map to his personal whims, persecuted state health department whistleblowers, and has introduced a massive raft of anti-1st amendment legislation.
So while as a straight, white, decently wealthy, male Trump might be more dangerous to you personally, to any one else DeSantis seems the far more pertinent threat.
No. We've been quite critical of DeSantis's illiberalism.. and will continue to be. But we also need to remember the unique existential danger that Trump poses. DeSantis is awful, and we're never going to support him, but a reminder: no one is as bad as Trump.
[no one is as bad as Trump.]
This might well be right, but it seems rather absolute. History is full of examples of assumptions of what can't happen being proven wrong. John Sedgewick comes to mind.
You've definitely been willing to criticize DeSantis, but I think we may be operating from a different definition of "existential danger".
Trump's authoritarianism was always performative above all else. He persecuted his enemies purely for show, and if the audience stopped applauding he would move on to something else. Sure, he was cruel and capricious, but like a dangerous animal he could be controlled and managed.
DeSantis on the other hand is ideologically driven. DeSantis really believes wiping out LGBT and "woke" people is the right thing and that no one less than god has appointed him to that purpose. He can't be reasoned with. You won't distract him with shiny cameras or cheering audiences.
And we've seen this in action. Trump wasted his oppressive efforts on dumb, broad overreach that was 90% signaling and would almost always be thrown out by the courts. He couldn't indulge his worst instincts because there were enough people on both sides there to stand in the way. DeSantis on the other hand has the veneer of normality and the knowledge to push his laws through. He's already turned Florida into a hellscape for LGBT people and teachers. He's arresting voters who haven't committed any crime other than trying to do that the state said they could. He redrew the Florida electoral map to his personal whims, persecuted state health department whistleblowers, and has introduced a massive raft of anti-1st amendment legislation.
So while as a straight, white, decently wealthy, male Trump might be more dangerous to you personally, to any one else DeSantis seems the far more pertinent threat.
Exactly! 1000 тЭдs.