And yet the author is an American.

Not sure why it’s “more impressive” coming from the US, but it is indeed wonderful.

Kornetzke wrote about the US because he’s American, but you’re right—this rot, this fear of change & the other, this clutching at nostalgia for something that never existed, is not limited to the US.

The author is American, born & grew up in Wisconsin. He is a product of thoughtful parents, exposure, and education (you know, that thing Trump wants to dismantle). Here’s a brilliant piece by him:

weknowwhatsup.blogspot.com/2025/05/i-co...

Except the author is from Wisconsin. The “way of articulating” isn’t national; it’s education. That’s not the contempt of the outsider; it’s the rage of the betrayed.

I’m disgusted and embarrassed that the UC system, and UC Berkeley in particular, caved to the demands of the Trump agenda. Complicit in his Revenge Tour and the 2025 agenda to destroy our institutions and concentrate power in the presidency.

Many writers still are on Substack. Here’s the thing about free speech: if you believe in it, you believe in it for everyone, even evil crappy white supremecist NAZIs.

Myself, I’d rather know where they are & what they’re saying. That’s how my ancestors got out of Trieste in time.

Have you called your senators & congressperson yet? Joined Indivisible or or other organizations opposing the Trump agenda? Donated to the ACLU? There’s plenty to do. Remember, Trump DEPENDS on you feeling like it’s hopeless & giving up. It’s not, so don’t.

Thank you, @aclu.org, for fighting the good fight every day!

I invite all of you here to join me as monthly donors to ACLU, at whatever $ you can afford. Recurring gifts are especially precious b/c they allow the org to make future plans. Vote w/your $ for the people fighting to save the USA.

It is actually much safer than the older mySSA system. Thank you, @replsimon.bsky.social , for calling this out to folks. Accessing SSA & Medicare online will be much more important as the current administration shuts SSA offices.

Thank you Sen Booker, we are behind you! Keep making that good trouble!

I am. I’ll be at two rallies on Saturday, I donate what I can, postcard, and my reps’ staff are getting to be my BFFs 🤣.

Paying attention is a start, but only a start. We need to call our representatives, including Trump. Get out into the streets and protest (peacefully). Write letters to the editor, attend town halls, *organize*. Join the April 5 #HandsOff 50501 protests in your area.

Please do so loudly, publicly, on the House floor and to media. Help amplify #HandsOff April 5 protests. Don’t be speaking just to people who already agree.

April 5, #HandsOff our neighbors & our free speech! Everyone into the streets before we have no democracy left to fight for!

Elie Mystal is a national treasure.