Since I think Trump is a more or less normal western hemisphere caudillo, rather than a fascist, I doubt it. We’ll see.
What the heck is a normal western hemisphere caudillo?
A caudillo is a fascist by definition. There is no difference between a fascist and a caudillo. Have a look at Spanish history of the 20th century.
We’ll be back to samizdat - if someone can rustle up a ditto machine and supplies I think I still remember how to use one.
Interesting that you chose a Russian word. It only means self-publishing, but the connotations are somber.
Frankly, I am not seeing much of a compatibility match between “trying our best not to be noticed by The Powers That Be” and “Fighting the good fight and not changing to suit the massive shift to right”.
I am indeed no expert on Spain, but I specified a western hemisphere caudillo.
Correct me if wrong, but Franco censored all media criticisms of himself.
The internet, unless you just shut it down, makes censorship harder. If Trump gets a criminal law passed, and enforced, requiring all internet moderators to take down posts that slander/criticism himself, that sounds less like Bukele in El Salvador and more like Franco.
I cannot rule out SDMB being shut down or taken over by MAGA moderators. But it wouldn’t happen until after everything critical of Trump was purged from cable TV and daily newspapers – a big job that would take years not months. Only after than was done in a thorough manner would we be next.
I assure you the choice was deliberate and the connotations intended.
Bukele in El Salvador? Yes that makes it much better:
Not fascist at all. Sure.
It doesn’t really have to be. If the job of the moderators is to stay off the radar or, worse, do the bidding of The Powers That Be to stay in line, then certain arguments may be regulated (or not) different than the way they used to be. When mods leave, they could be replaced by those less likely to “rock the boat”.
I live in a 55+ “community” apartment building. I exercise three days a week and walk a mile+ on the off days in good weather. But I don’t require assistance for anything, and I’m not using a walker or a cane or any other device, and I still drive. I’m 78 this year.
My sister lived with that for decades and was able to do anything anyone else was able to do.
This.
And somebody earlier on mentioned preemptive compliance. I think this might stifle discussions since you never know whether your post might be reported.
This will not be such a big job since after the first prosecutions, slandering and criminal convictions there would not be much more critical utterances in TV and newspapers. People observe and learn. This does not take years but weeks. Fascists rule by fear.
In terms of discussion about general censorship, as opposed to the SDMB, I direct your eyes to a concurrent thread on recent censorship.
Chilling stuff.
And little makes me more fearful than a concentration camp. Normal, western hemisphere, caudillo (I can’t get my head around the fact that this word is being uttered without panic!) sanctioned concentration camps. And as the Caudillo was Franco, this may be relevant here and now:
Just to make my point clear:
There is consensus among historians to confirm, according to testimonies of survivors, witnesses, and the Franco Reports themselves, that the conditions of internment “were, in general, atrocious”.
Looking at the brighter side, this year, on November 20th, we will celebrate the fiftieth aniversary of Franco’s demise. And Franco is still dead!
Preemptive compliance not only encourages the totalitarians, but in this particular case it’s royally stupid. Everything you’ve already said is already on the net. Did you make fun of Trump in 2014, here or elsewhere? That’s still out there. May as well keep making fun of him now.
This might only be the beginning. Since Trump is going to consider himself a king, he might as well consider a law against lèse-majesty.
Yes indeed, you may. But once being interviewed in your job and asked about your posts and whether you consider yourself a truly patriotic citizen you might change your mind. After having lost your job and your family gets into trouble you might as well consider whether it is worthwhile.
Again: why the hell do you think it will help when you’re already on record?
If things do come to that point, having shut up now won’t help you. Nothing will help you. The only thing that stands a chance of helping you is not shutting up now.
Well, I’am completely on the same page here.
What I wanted to say is not what should be done now, much less that people should show preemptive compliance. I wanted to expresse my fear of future developments after the system change in the US. This fear goes back to the experience of repressive systems my family had to go through and the consequences thereof. Yes, we are on the record already and yes it might help not shutting up now. But nevertheless these are bleak perspectives. And you are right too, in the end nothing will help.