This speech should be published in every news outlet not controlled by the American oligarchs. A "crie de coeur" that resonates across borders and countries. Navalny paid the ultimate price for his defiance. We can do no less than to "look up from the table".
Thank you Miles for including this from Navalny. In the General Patton Museum on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park is a quote from Hitler, it reads as follows:
“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed. Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it and eventually they will believe it.” Connect the dots! Let’s not stare down at the table.
Too many stare at the table, check their watches, or look up at the sky. Their alarm with a call to action evicts the same repulsive reaction as an invitation to clean maggots out of the garbage can or eat a poison mushroom. They flap their hands at the thought of "politics." By running from it they will own the inevitable consequences, more than the defiant ones will.
Just showing up is important. Sometimes I can only make it for an hour but trust me it is something & take heart you probably get a lot of automotive support (horn honking) that indicates they're on your side!!!!!
I went to a protest with one of those protective boots when I broke my foot & another attendee thanked me for coming so I'll pass that thanks along & thank you for your participation in the protest. Every BODY counts!!!!
Thank you for this post. I have never read the speech before, so powerful and reminds me how absolutely disgusting Putin is and our president's support and admiration of him.
That's the first time I've been able to recognize the Truth and importance not only for Russia, but for all peoples fighting for freedom and justice that Alexei Navalny stood for, fought for and ultimately, died for. Thanks for sharing Miles, hope it gets super broad exposure!!
Yesterday we were treated to a scene from a theater of the absurd. The Liar-in-Chief said that we could take a handful of soldiers & go into Iran & take the whole country. Really????? If that's the case then he should gather up his cabinet, most especially Mr. Lethality, Maximum Destruction, No ROE Pete Hegseth & lead the charge. I mean that's the way the kings of old did it. They literally suited up in armor, grabbed their broad sword & led the troops to war. His AI renderings of himself would do it, why not him. Oh, I forgot, "bone spurs", damn those nasty little things getting in the way of all that glory!!!
And speaking of lies, it's at once disgraceful & hilarious that when trump makes a claim about "hitting them hard" or "we'll be signing a peace treaty in a few days" that we all roll our eyes & wait for corroboration from Iran!!! The only people who listen to that & "believe" it are the people on Wall Street taking home dump trucks full of cash after they manipulate trading & make a killing on stock deals. Isn't it amazing how intuitive they are, managing to make those deals at just the right time? Geniuses, absolute geniuses. If only prices at the pump could be gamed.
I'm not looking away, I have absolutely no influence anywhere but I did have an amazing experience the other day. I had just finished a book called "The Nazi & the Psychiatrist" about the psychiatrist who dealt with the Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg. There was a chapter in the book that explained how the crimes committed back them could happen here. I thought the information provided there would possibly help Americans see what was happening right before their eyes so I emailed the author suggesting that he release that chapter as a stand alone pamphlet or booklet along the lines of Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny". I write to everybody & rarely hear back so I did not expect a reply but much to my surprise he responded the next day. And here's the amazing part, he said he would consider it & talk to his publisher!!! He said he probably couldn't get it out before the midterms but that there would be a good chance to get it out in time for 2028!!! It was a good thing I was sitting down when I read that because you could have knocked me over with a feather. So, while it is absolutely not heroic at all maybe it will make a difference if he should follow through. I hope that counts as NOT looking down at the table.
Thanks Miles, I read Navalny's book and it was sad, scary and eye opening and as the Trump Regime has carried on it's becoming worrisome even though I'm Canadian. Thankfully so far some Judges have been pushing back. Keep up the great work you and others on Substack and YouTube have been doing.
Uncomfortable and frightening truth, but you hit the nail on the head, Miles. Keep writing Miles. Keep exposing the cowardice. Keeping giving us courage.
Miles, you could post a version of this message daily and it wouldn't be often enough. Apparently Thom Hartmann agrees with you and me as he quoted you immediately.
"The Soviet-ization of American life is farther along than most people realize."
I've been saying this since Donald's re-election. To anyone who knows what Soviet life was like (and is becoming again)--who experienced it themselves--the truth of your observation is self-evident. That so many Americans won't or can't face that reality--prefer to "stare at the table"-- may seal our fate as victims of the new Stalinist pain and poverty. As Hartmann observes, it doesn't matter to Donald that he gets no convictions; it is enough to leave his victims as broke and scared examples to frighten others into silence. I'm profoundly grateful to you that he hasn't frightened you into silence. Our population desperately needs to see every day the example you set. Bless you and your family!
This speech should be published in every news outlet not controlled by the American oligarchs. A "crie de coeur" that resonates across borders and countries. Navalny paid the ultimate price for his defiance. We can do no less than to "look up from the table".
EXCELLENT article!! Thank you!
Thank you Miles for including this from Navalny. In the General Patton Museum on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park is a quote from Hitler, it reads as follows:
“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed. Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it and eventually they will believe it.” Connect the dots! Let’s not stare down at the table.
Great article. I gave you a big shout out on X. This needs to be shared over and over again.
The next mass protest must be titled "Enough". "No Kings" is too mild, now.
Too many stare at the table, check their watches, or look up at the sky. Their alarm with a call to action evicts the same repulsive reaction as an invitation to clean maggots out of the garbage can or eat a poison mushroom. They flap their hands at the thought of "politics." By running from it they will own the inevitable consequences, more than the defiant ones will.
Thank u. I will try. Going to the seemingly meaningless march today, w a broken hip. Not sure how long I will b there!
Just showing up is important. Sometimes I can only make it for an hour but trust me it is something & take heart you probably get a lot of automotive support (horn honking) that indicates they're on your side!!!!!
I went to a protest with one of those protective boots when I broke my foot & another attendee thanked me for coming so I'll pass that thanks along & thank you for your participation in the protest. Every BODY counts!!!!
Thank you for this post. I have never read the speech before, so powerful and reminds me how absolutely disgusting Putin is and our president's support and admiration of him.
That's the first time I've been able to recognize the Truth and importance not only for Russia, but for all peoples fighting for freedom and justice that Alexei Navalny stood for, fought for and ultimately, died for. Thanks for sharing Miles, hope it gets super broad exposure!!
Thank you for this, as always. Stay safe - there are a lot of us in your corner who aren’t staring at the table.
Yesterday we were treated to a scene from a theater of the absurd. The Liar-in-Chief said that we could take a handful of soldiers & go into Iran & take the whole country. Really????? If that's the case then he should gather up his cabinet, most especially Mr. Lethality, Maximum Destruction, No ROE Pete Hegseth & lead the charge. I mean that's the way the kings of old did it. They literally suited up in armor, grabbed their broad sword & led the troops to war. His AI renderings of himself would do it, why not him. Oh, I forgot, "bone spurs", damn those nasty little things getting in the way of all that glory!!!
And speaking of lies, it's at once disgraceful & hilarious that when trump makes a claim about "hitting them hard" or "we'll be signing a peace treaty in a few days" that we all roll our eyes & wait for corroboration from Iran!!! The only people who listen to that & "believe" it are the people on Wall Street taking home dump trucks full of cash after they manipulate trading & make a killing on stock deals. Isn't it amazing how intuitive they are, managing to make those deals at just the right time? Geniuses, absolute geniuses. If only prices at the pump could be gamed.
I'm not looking away, I have absolutely no influence anywhere but I did have an amazing experience the other day. I had just finished a book called "The Nazi & the Psychiatrist" about the psychiatrist who dealt with the Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg. There was a chapter in the book that explained how the crimes committed back them could happen here. I thought the information provided there would possibly help Americans see what was happening right before their eyes so I emailed the author suggesting that he release that chapter as a stand alone pamphlet or booklet along the lines of Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny". I write to everybody & rarely hear back so I did not expect a reply but much to my surprise he responded the next day. And here's the amazing part, he said he would consider it & talk to his publisher!!! He said he probably couldn't get it out before the midterms but that there would be a good chance to get it out in time for 2028!!! It was a good thing I was sitting down when I read that because you could have knocked me over with a feather. So, while it is absolutely not heroic at all maybe it will make a difference if he should follow through. I hope that counts as NOT looking down at the table.
Navalny has to go down in history as the most courageous MFer ever to stand up against tyranny.
Thanks Miles, I read Navalny's book and it was sad, scary and eye opening and as the Trump Regime has carried on it's becoming worrisome even though I'm Canadian. Thankfully so far some Judges have been pushing back. Keep up the great work you and others on Substack and YouTube have been doing.
Thanks, do you have room in your house for 20 or 30 million people in case we need to flee?!!!!
😉😉😉😉😉😉
Sorry, I live in a 2 bedroom apartment so can't take that many lol
Great inspiration! Navalny’s documentary is a must-see - this column and his speech makes me to watch it again … 🕊️
Uncomfortable and frightening truth, but you hit the nail on the head, Miles. Keep writing Miles. Keep exposing the cowardice. Keeping giving us courage.
Miles, you could post a version of this message daily and it wouldn't be often enough. Apparently Thom Hartmann agrees with you and me as he quoted you immediately.
"The Soviet-ization of American life is farther along than most people realize."
I've been saying this since Donald's re-election. To anyone who knows what Soviet life was like (and is becoming again)--who experienced it themselves--the truth of your observation is self-evident. That so many Americans won't or can't face that reality--prefer to "stare at the table"-- may seal our fate as victims of the new Stalinist pain and poverty. As Hartmann observes, it doesn't matter to Donald that he gets no convictions; it is enough to leave his victims as broke and scared examples to frighten others into silence. I'm profoundly grateful to you that he hasn't frightened you into silence. Our population desperately needs to see every day the example you set. Bless you and your family!
Miles, I worry that you know trump is coming for you. What can we do to help you if/when that happens?