Quick editorial on national politics..(hey, the Times Dispatch does it…):
As expected, Russiagate has not resulted in much, and certainly not Trump’s impeachment, at least not yet. Real evidence of Russian election tampering has NOT come forward, despite all the past hoopla and promises by intelligence agencies (which should tell you something about the overall credibility of intelligence agencies). Furthermore, what evidence has come forward (at great cost to a few brave individuals) gives credence to groups like the Green Party, which steadfastly denies the Russian hysteria, and continues to press for needed election reform in the face of traditional, domestic (mostly Republican) voting suppression.
Meanwhile, you cannot listen to the news without hearing about Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh’s sexual assault accusations. Rightly so, this is starting to re-energize the #MeToo movement. This community news site endorses #MeToo and encourages it to go forth boldly (something candidate Trump did initially also, until it became clear he was being accused also).
What is curious is why it ever took a breather. Over a dozen women have accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault. Yet for the most part, media and ‘leadership’ have ignored them. Why? Are their stories not as compelling if not more compelling than Kavanaugh’s accusers’?
The American people should be demanding investigations and prosecutions of Trump’s sexual assaults NOW.
Centrists cowardly hide behind legalities and past cultural norms. Groups like ‘We The Resistance’ tell citizens not to be ‘gaslighted’, to #BelieveSurvivors and that ‘We have 3 days to #CancelKavanaugh’. But that’s it, no further. Not when new accusations cut close to their own. The current politicians don’t really want to challenge Trump or the overall power structure on sexual assaults or crooked business deals. While current politicians decide which sexual assaults they want to highlight and which ones they want to ignore, they are doing the same thing with wars. The fact is that we need the inherent, grassroots, leftist populism within #MeToo to counter the right-wing populism in power. Other countries are watching and hoping. #MeToo should not be kept under a moribund DNC leader’s leash.
Let’s hope #MeToo finds its independent voice again and inspires millions of citizens of all genders to take to the streets and demand real political change- meaning not just ‘draining the swamp’, not just forcing Trump out of office, but overturning the whole corrupt corporate duopoly that has brought this country so low. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Let’s hope it becomes more inclusive- not just about getting female, ex-C.I.A. agents elected but making sure other voices are not just heard but heeded, before it is too late. Don’t settle for #Resist, it’s time for a #Revolt.
