Dan Rather: "They are counting on despair. That's how they win."

[kpete]

They are counting on despair. That's how they win.

Those who seek to undermine our democracy, to normalize corruption and hate and division... They are counting on despair.

Those who say our votes don't matter, that facts don't matter, that the truth doesn't matter... They are counting on despair.

Those who say there are "real Americans," that we need to go back to a mythic past, that we should close ourselves to the world... They are counting on despair.

Those who would despoil our environment and undermine science... They are counting on despair.

Those who would gaslight, lie, and revel in propaganda... They are counting on despair.

Those who look the other way, make excuses, and normalize autocracy... They are counting on despair.

There is a tendency to feel the despair well up from within, and not recognize it as a weapon being wielded with precision and purpose from without. They are counting on despair.

The greatest leaders in our history knew that despair is toxic to progress. Washington at Valley Forge. Lincoln at Gettysburg. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham. But more than the famous names are the countless women and men who have fought back against despair in the service of hope, and progress. I have seen it in foxholes, on picket lines, in classrooms, and in midst of natural disasters. I have seen it in the marches, movements, and moments where people rose up and said our world can be better, and we will do the hard work to make it so.

Despair these days is an understandable feeling. Our world seems in many ways upside down. To fight against the odds, against the powerful, against the morally bankrupt, is exhausting. But just remember, they are counting on despair. Will you let them have it?


https://www.facebook.com/theDanRather/posts/10163050285505716

[Iliyah]

1. Democrats and Indies and some Republicans will come together . . . .

to defeat shithole and his cult!

[dalton99a]

2. GOTV

[CaptYossarian]

4. If Assface loses, that's also the Doomsday Clock.

If his p*ssy staff and Cabinet won't leg tackle him going for the nuclear football, maybe a heroic Secret Service agent will.

[2naSalit]

3. K&R

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Where we need to despair, Republicans don't care.

* Climate change and our environment,
* Income and asset inequality,
* Basic healthcare for all,
* Controlling gun ownership,
* Bloated military spending, and
* Massive corruption of our politics and democratic processes with money from corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

.....to name a few (add to this list if you wish).

KY...........

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. ancestor of Michael K. Williams ...

Last edited Tue Feb 11, 2020, 12:27 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.thirteen.org/programs/finding-your-roots/michael-k-williams-immediate-voter-registration-p9xcw3/

From slave to voter to land owner. The man voted in 1868 in South Carolina. Despair? Who among us was bought and sold as a beast of burden 3 years ago?

[burrowowl]

7. K&R

[MASW]

8. Actually, I'm feeling better than ever.

It's weird. Ever since I saw that picture of Trump with the terrible makeup, he has just seemed pathetic to me. I've spent the past three years being really, really anxious and worried, and suddenly I had this feeling that this guy is just a pathetic weakling of a loser. He's terrified of absolutely everyone and everything. Now I think two things need to be done. On a personal level, I need to do everything I can for Democrats at all levels--donate, volunteer, speak up. And on a national-political level, I'd love to see the narrative change. Trump is a weakling. He's a broke, cowardly, fat, old, makeup-wearing traitor who is terrified of being found out. I'm sick of being scared of this idiot and his spineless minions.

[Brainfodder]

13. Ah yes, clarity in words.

I think you nailed it!

[fleabiscuit]

14. Out of the mouth of noobs. Welcome to the DU.

[MFGsunny]

18. Welcome to DU!

Kudos on such an uplifting post!

Much obliged.

[OliverQ]

9. It's hard not to despair watching so much in your face

corruption and crimes with no consequences. This DoJ/Roger Stone situation is really upsetting. We have no federal law enforcement agency anymore.

[DeminPennswoods]

10. I'm not despairing

I am mad as he11 and intend to take it out on Rs up and down the ballot in Nov.

[Andy823]

11. Excellent post!

Every day it seems like I can read numerous post here on DU, the doom and gloom kind, trying to push that same kind of despair. It's not over, and we can win in November, but we have to stand up to those who are trying to cause problems, and get people to stay home and not take the time to vote.

Not voting is not an option. We can build a blue wave that will flush trump and his goons out of office, and we can take back the country and start fixing the mess trump has made.

GET OUT AND VOTE and we will win!

[Brainfodder]

12. At what point do democrats start to snap and take it to them?

Asking for a friend?

[Hekate]

15. Dan Rather is a national treasure

Can't say anything more just now

[calimary]

16. Keeping this. Sounds like another candidate for "Quote of the Week"!

[Grammy23]

17. No matter how much despair I feel about our current situation,

(And there is much to be upset and grieving about), I will not be cowed into lethargy. I will not give in to the gaslighting, lying and lawlessness. I may be dismayed. I will shed a tear for what has been stolen from us and will take decades to restore. I won’t live to see things put right. But no matter what they say or do, they will not stop me from voting. I will support our Democratic candidates in whatever ways I can. I may be down in the mouth right now but I am far from out. I will not let them do that to me.

Despair is just an emotion to express how I feel. It does not have to define me. The sun will rise and we who are witnessing this horror will rise with it and carry on. We must. We simply must.

[smirkymonkey]

19. I tend to cycle between despair and then rally with a resurgence of hope and a fighting

spirit. I think it's pretty natural to feel kind of beaten down and exhausted at times. That's when it's healthy to pull away for a little while and nurture yourself - avoid politics for a few days, watch funny/uplifting movies, go out with friends, read books on other subjects that you are interested, spend time with pets, indulge in your hobbies, etc.

Then come back refreshed and ready to encourage others who are despairing and down and if you can, take action. organize marches, register voters, call and write your congresspeople, etc. Whatever you can do, no matter how small, is going to help you to feel like you are making a difference.