Thank you, thank you simply for providing a calm place for contemplating the here and now, despite the near-future toward which we seem to be hurtling.
Thank you, this works so well crystalling this strange moment, a human tragedy in tension with a human life in tension with a political environment, all through beautiful language. And thank you for helping me think about this in a way that doesn't feel entirely drowned in deapair
MAGA seems as close to a 21st century fascist movement (like the Nazi Party of the 1920s - 1940s) as I have seen in my lifetime.
MAGA partisans appear far more interested in fomenting violence against non-MAGAs than in compromises that preserve freedom and democracy. They will not accept any defeats at the ballot box - indeed, Trump is working to insure that the 2026 mid-terms cannot produce a Democratic majority in the House or Senate.
When your Party, the MAGA Party, is always right and everyone else is not just wrong, but evil, compromise is impossible and violence may appear the only means of survival.
I don't know how one can reason with most MAGA members because all the ones I have spoken with seem to accept only the "truth" the hear from Trump, Fox News, and other far right media. Maybe there are still some "reachable" MAGA.
Been thinking about you ever since the assassination, wondering what your take would be. Whole thing makes me want to run and hide. It's interesting, the response of some of my friends -- "Oh, too bad, so sad" kind of thing, which rapidly turned to "'They' weren't too upset when (fill in the blank Democrat) was attacked/shot," etc. Which I find absolutely repellent. As repellent as I found Charlie. His killing sickens me; is inexcusable and execrable. Where do we go from here?
Jeff, FYI - I messaged you on Facebook a month or so ago..... "Jeff, LOVE your stuff. The Undertow is a masterpiece. Need your help. In one of your interviews you reference something called 'Revelation' [?] and you said it's fantastic. Can you direct me to it?
Thanks for reading, Tom. Apologies, I don't check in on FB much anymore. I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean. There is, of course, the Book of Revelation, which isn the literal sense "fantastic," as in supernatural.
Like many, I have family deeply committed to MAGA. The adoration aspect, of projecting black and white concepts/beliefs onto another who then amplifies it all back to the masses is magic (per Webster).
Thank you for shining your light on the darkest corners.
In the midst of the horror we find ourselves in I keep turning back to the National Prayer Breakfast and your great work related. I see that a new NPB Foundation was created in 2023. And there are several NPBs internationally. It’s so unsettling watching and listening to the Christian Crusaders and their violent rhetoric sucking in the low information believers.
And while you and this kid have a nice talk, fascists are lining up the unpeople for elimination, destroying this country, and ensuring that that kid and all others will face the carbon whirlwind. If you’d like to commit suicide while clutching Strunk and White, that’s fine and very stirring, but I’d like to actually stop these omnicidal motherfuckers before they destroy any chance of decent organized human existence.
I really appreciate your tone and thoughtfulness. The "portrait" of the young woman with the red hair at the end makes it all so relatable. In a way, I'm sure she could be the college kid of many people I know in my liberal bubble.
thank you for this - need to read previous article too. so much to process. i knew who Kirk was but honestly, i did not know much about him other than high level. From what i am reading and what i hear in reporting, his views of how things should be are horrific. this country is becoming more divided; i keep thinking there will be a turning point where people realize we cannot split this country up and hope to have peace. calls for silent secession and national divorce - not good
Thank you, thank you simply for providing a calm place for contemplating the here and now, despite the near-future toward which we seem to be hurtling.
Thank you, this works so well crystalling this strange moment, a human tragedy in tension with a human life in tension with a political environment, all through beautiful language. And thank you for helping me think about this in a way that doesn't feel entirely drowned in deapair
MAGA seems as close to a 21st century fascist movement (like the Nazi Party of the 1920s - 1940s) as I have seen in my lifetime.
MAGA partisans appear far more interested in fomenting violence against non-MAGAs than in compromises that preserve freedom and democracy. They will not accept any defeats at the ballot box - indeed, Trump is working to insure that the 2026 mid-terms cannot produce a Democratic majority in the House or Senate.
When your Party, the MAGA Party, is always right and everyone else is not just wrong, but evil, compromise is impossible and violence may appear the only means of survival.
I don't know how one can reason with most MAGA members because all the ones I have spoken with seem to accept only the "truth" the hear from Trump, Fox News, and other far right media. Maybe there are still some "reachable" MAGA.
Been thinking about you ever since the assassination, wondering what your take would be. Whole thing makes me want to run and hide. It's interesting, the response of some of my friends -- "Oh, too bad, so sad" kind of thing, which rapidly turned to "'They' weren't too upset when (fill in the blank Democrat) was attacked/shot," etc. Which I find absolutely repellent. As repellent as I found Charlie. His killing sickens me; is inexcusable and execrable. Where do we go from here?
So beautifully written – thank you
Jeff, FYI - I messaged you on Facebook a month or so ago..... "Jeff, LOVE your stuff. The Undertow is a masterpiece. Need your help. In one of your interviews you reference something called 'Revelation' [?] and you said it's fantastic. Can you direct me to it?
Thanks for reading, Tom. Apologies, I don't check in on FB much anymore. I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean. There is, of course, the Book of Revelation, which isn the literal sense "fantastic," as in supernatural.
@tomdemartino3
Could it be this?
<<Haven Kimmel dives into Revelation and comes out in a swoon. >>
“Killing the Buddha
A Heretic's Bible”
By Peter Manseau and Jeff Sharlet
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Killing-the-Buddha/Peter-Manseau/9780743232777
That’s it!
Like many, I have family deeply committed to MAGA. The adoration aspect, of projecting black and white concepts/beliefs onto another who then amplifies it all back to the masses is magic (per Webster).
such a painful time to be living through
Would give anything to be able to write like this. Please keep em coming, buddy❤️
Oh come on! We are so on the same page!
Thank you! ❤️
Beautiful and helpful writing. I will want to read through several more times before fully processing. Thank you.
♥️ 💔
Thank you for shining your light on the darkest corners.
In the midst of the horror we find ourselves in I keep turning back to the National Prayer Breakfast and your great work related. I see that a new NPB Foundation was created in 2023. And there are several NPBs internationally. It’s so unsettling watching and listening to the Christian Crusaders and their violent rhetoric sucking in the low information believers.
And while you and this kid have a nice talk, fascists are lining up the unpeople for elimination, destroying this country, and ensuring that that kid and all others will face the carbon whirlwind. If you’d like to commit suicide while clutching Strunk and White, that’s fine and very stirring, but I’d like to actually stop these omnicidal motherfuckers before they destroy any chance of decent organized human existence.
I really appreciate your tone and thoughtfulness. The "portrait" of the young woman with the red hair at the end makes it all so relatable. In a way, I'm sure she could be the college kid of many people I know in my liberal bubble.
thank you for this - need to read previous article too. so much to process. i knew who Kirk was but honestly, i did not know much about him other than high level. From what i am reading and what i hear in reporting, his views of how things should be are horrific. this country is becoming more divided; i keep thinking there will be a turning point where people realize we cannot split this country up and hope to have peace. calls for silent secession and national divorce - not good