July 10 Blog: It's Important to Name Things Properly: Trump is the Anti-Christ

Dear Friends: 

As we all digest the big, horrible budget bill that is about to fund a Gestapo larger than most of the world’s armies, destroy the lives of many vulnerable people, destabilize our economy, and hasten climate change, I think it’s important to be clear about what we are up against, what to expect, and how to fight it. I’ve thought for a while that Trump is the anti-Christ, as in the opposite of Christ, although those are not terms I tend to use in talking about politics. But they fit Trump and similar types like Hitler, Stalin and Putin.

While Christ was kind, Trump is cruel. While Christ was forgiving, Trump is vengeful. While Christ was generous, Trump is greedy. While Christ helped the poor and vulnerable, Trump preys upon them. This is very attractive to some people and very scary and ugly to others who just want to pretend this evil doesn’t exist. I think it helps to name it to understand the strength, and weakness, of what we are up against. So…what does this mean for us?

First, it explains Trump's attraction and power. Evil is very strong and very attractive. It always has been. It is so much easier – to some people – and more fun, to destroy than is it to build and create. Evil’s natural attraction to people makes it a powerful negative force. Second, it explains why so many people keep behaving as if Trump is not what he is. It’s really inconvenient, and scary, to admit Evil exists and is, for the moment, in power. It’s easier to just go along as if everything is basically fine and there is nothing to really worry about. Third, it also points the way to resisting. Evil fears kindness, joy, empathy, community, generosity, humor courage and love. It stamps out all these as fast as it can because Evil is inherently weak. It’s an empty and dark force that is based on the lack of Good. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of Evil is that good men [people] should do nothing.” People often pretend Evil doesn’t exist, and therefore, do nothing. To defeat Evil, good people must acknowledge what it is, name it and do something.

And many of us are doing something. It will take a while to fight the fatal attraction of destruction and cruelty, and our world will never be the same, but fight we must with kindness, joy, empathy, community, generosity, humor, love and courage. There is safety in numbers and courage is contagious. I recommend finding and joining expressions of resistance as you can. Some possibilities can be found on my website. I plan to attend the virtual training for “One Million Rising” that Mobilize Us and Indivisible are doing over 3 Wednesdays in July and August, beginning July 16. Each Wednesday is a different topic. If you’re interested, sign up at one of the embedded links.

Also, some possibilities can be found on my website: “Libby’s Local List.” We try to keep it up-to-date and welcome information for events to add.

The “Tesla Takedown” demonstrations on Tuesdays and Saturdays on Arlington’s S. Glebe Road are still going strong. You might enjoy this moving video.

Tesla Takedown Video

And, of course, join us on the I-395 bridge in Fairlington, although we don’t go out in thunderstorms. And, we’ve decided to do “summer hours” from 5:00 to 6:00 pm so we’re not out when the heat index is around 95 degrees or higher.

If you find this blog and my website helpful, please pass it on to people you know who might be interested.

Yours in peaceful resistance, 

Libby