Great you left WaPo. Mr. Bezos has sold out and is guilty as anyone in the Trump Administration of the destruction of our Country.
The piece on Norman Rockwell resonates with me because I lived in Lenox, Mass. In the 1960s. Many people I knew were models for Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell espoused the values that bring together as community. We here in the US need to support those values which include all people.
Regarding Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers, we have to be very careful not to project 21st century mores into a very different time.
Rockwell's community at the time probably was overwhelmingly White, and this would have seemed normal. In my country, Australia, at that time there was a very strong link between progressive thought and White supremecy, the Australian Labor Party was the party of both socialism and a White Australia.
It's worth noting that the central figure in 'Freedom of Speech' is not only working class but also dark haired and olive skinned, at a time when there was still widespread prejudice against Southern Europeans.
So even then Rockwell was acknowledging American diversity.
I had the good fortune of interviewing a curator of a Rockwell exhibit years ago. I had been dismissive of his work, if not his talent (and part of the piece was about “illustrators” vs “artists”), but our chat was eye-opening. I never looked at a Rockwell, or Norman Rockwell, the same way again.
Rockwell's transformation is a powerful example for all of us. Thanks for telling it and tying it into our current moment, when so many of us need to question our preconceived notions about country and community.
I should have suspected you were the impetus for The 12 Days of Griftmas singing, considering your self professed love of musicals. Well done, as this community may have never known Andrew has a splendid singing voice without your peer pressure.
This is not meant to offend Catherine, or any of the commenters, or any of the hundreds of other writers, reporters, "influencers", Tik-Tok'ers, YouTubers, Reel'ers and God knows what else who are all informing us of what's going on. But...
If I had a dollar for every person who is informed about the Nazi-fication of the US, and has forwarded countless meme's, videos and writings to their social network, I'd have at least $70 million dollars.
But if I had a dollar for every one of those people who are actively boycotting the oligarch companies, organizing or participating in rallies, protests, shut-downs, walk-outs, road-closures, work-stoppages, and other civil disobedience actions, contributing financially to organizations that are performing the ground-work, writing to every politician they can, etc, then I can guarantee you I'd be lucky to make $100,000, never mind a million.
Why? Because the evidence has been staring everyone in the face for the past year. The bulldozer hasn't stopped. In fact, it's accelerating. The tiny legal "wins" are nothing but toothpicks trying to keep a door shut in a hurricane.
Wake the f up! This is only going to get worse. Way worse.
It's unbelievably disappointing to watch this collapse transpire, as people treat it as if it's just politics as usual and everyone just needs to go about their "normal" courses of action. The MAGAts are banking on that fundamental flaw. This is a war. Not a tea party.
You may recall the Arab Spring of 2010. Five countries governments succumbed to the people's protests and the dictatoral leaders were ousted. "The slogan was: "The people want to bring down the regime." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
In 2022, Canada experienced the "Freedom Convoy" shutting down our country's capital for several weeks. Although the government did not meet their demands, and ended up using a very heavy hand to end the blockade, it was a wake-up call to politicians across the country that people power isn't a concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_convoy_protest
This is the kind of action Americans need to be considering seriously. Because, sane America cannot afford much more of this nonsense.
And if you are using the argument that he will invoke the Insurrection Act, then guess what? You're going to have to take a hard look in the mirror and face the fact that not only have you lost the battle, but you've surrendered.
Nothing of value comes without pain.
Here's a link to a resource. More people need to get active.
"Protect Your Homeland. Defend Your Culture." This is straight-out fascist-style propaganda. It's not even subtle. Why aren't more people recognizing what this regime actually IS?
Great you left WaPo. Mr. Bezos has sold out and is guilty as anyone in the Trump Administration of the destruction of our Country.
The piece on Norman Rockwell resonates with me because I lived in Lenox, Mass. In the 1960s. Many people I knew were models for Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell espoused the values that bring together as community. We here in the US need to support those values which include all people.
Regarding Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers, we have to be very careful not to project 21st century mores into a very different time.
Rockwell's community at the time probably was overwhelmingly White, and this would have seemed normal. In my country, Australia, at that time there was a very strong link between progressive thought and White supremecy, the Australian Labor Party was the party of both socialism and a White Australia.
It's worth noting that the central figure in 'Freedom of Speech' is not only working class but also dark haired and olive skinned, at a time when there was still widespread prejudice against Southern Europeans.
So even then Rockwell was acknowledging American diversity.
Thank you particularly for Footnote #2.
Little Stephen’s deranged tweet needs attention. Someone that monomaniacally hateful is a clear and present danger.
I think his brain is broken
Small but miportant correction: Saturday EVENING Post, not Saturday MORNING Post.
I had the good fortune of interviewing a curator of a Rockwell exhibit years ago. I had been dismissive of his work, if not his talent (and part of the piece was about “illustrators” vs “artists”), but our chat was eye-opening. I never looked at a Rockwell, or Norman Rockwell, the same way again.
Wonderful piece, Catherine.
Beautiful write up and video, Catherine ❤️
Just wanted to note that I'm pleased to be into the Ramparts! Keep 'em coming.
Don R., Portland, OR
I believe its the Saturday Evening Post
Rockwell's transformation is a powerful example for all of us. Thanks for telling it and tying it into our current moment, when so many of us need to question our preconceived notions about country and community.
I should have suspected you were the impetus for The 12 Days of Griftmas singing, considering your self professed love of musicals. Well done, as this community may have never known Andrew has a splendid singing voice without your peer pressure.
Frank woulda punched Miller's lights out.
Loved this. Right down to the last sentence.
This is not meant to offend Catherine, or any of the commenters, or any of the hundreds of other writers, reporters, "influencers", Tik-Tok'ers, YouTubers, Reel'ers and God knows what else who are all informing us of what's going on. But...
If I had a dollar for every person who is informed about the Nazi-fication of the US, and has forwarded countless meme's, videos and writings to their social network, I'd have at least $70 million dollars.
But if I had a dollar for every one of those people who are actively boycotting the oligarch companies, organizing or participating in rallies, protests, shut-downs, walk-outs, road-closures, work-stoppages, and other civil disobedience actions, contributing financially to organizations that are performing the ground-work, writing to every politician they can, etc, then I can guarantee you I'd be lucky to make $100,000, never mind a million.
Why? Because the evidence has been staring everyone in the face for the past year. The bulldozer hasn't stopped. In fact, it's accelerating. The tiny legal "wins" are nothing but toothpicks trying to keep a door shut in a hurricane.
Wake the f up! This is only going to get worse. Way worse.
It's unbelievably disappointing to watch this collapse transpire, as people treat it as if it's just politics as usual and everyone just needs to go about their "normal" courses of action. The MAGAts are banking on that fundamental flaw. This is a war. Not a tea party.
You may recall the Arab Spring of 2010. Five countries governments succumbed to the people's protests and the dictatoral leaders were ousted. "The slogan was: "The people want to bring down the regime." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
In 2022, Canada experienced the "Freedom Convoy" shutting down our country's capital for several weeks. Although the government did not meet their demands, and ended up using a very heavy hand to end the blockade, it was a wake-up call to politicians across the country that people power isn't a concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_convoy_protest
This is the kind of action Americans need to be considering seriously. Because, sane America cannot afford much more of this nonsense.
And if you are using the argument that he will invoke the Insurrection Act, then guess what? You're going to have to take a hard look in the mirror and face the fact that not only have you lost the battle, but you've surrendered.
Nothing of value comes without pain.
Here's a link to a resource. More people need to get active.
https://10stepscampaign.org/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#freedom
"Protect Your Homeland. Defend Your Culture." This is straight-out fascist-style propaganda. It's not even subtle. Why aren't more people recognizing what this regime actually IS?
Great commentary, Catherine!! The Trump admin is the most corrupt and insidious in my lifetime of 77 years!!
And my 87 as of yesterday. Add illegal and unconstitutional -- plus any of dozens more. Sigh.
Great piece. Love the last line.