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Before bed, a message for my American friends: learn from the Philippines. Treat the Trumps like the fascists that they are or you will see them again.
A thread.
A thread.
In 1986, the Philippines deposed Ferdinand Marcos, a dictator who stole so much money that he plunged the country into massive debt.
The EDSA Revolution, led by Corazon Aquino, ended this regime after roughly 2 decades in power.
The EDSA Revolution, led by Corazon Aquino, ended this regime after roughly 2 decades in power.
Even though many people acknowledge that Marcos is a crook, a very sizable part of the population feels that he is a hero. The post-EDSA Philippines tried the tactic of unity through healing, etc. It also had to deal with a legal defense from the Marcoses who had CASH to burn.
Basically, the Marcoses were never brought to justice.
Which brings us to years after the Revolution.
What happened?
Which brings us to years after the Revolution.
What happened?
Imelda Marcos, the dictator's widow, became a congresswoman. Two of their children (Bongbong and Imee) became senators. Imee is currently serving her first term.
Bongbong ran and barely lost his bid for the vice-presidency in 2016.
They can come back.
Bongbong ran and barely lost his bid for the vice-presidency in 2016.
They can come back.
Imagine a USA in 20 years that has:
a.) Senator Ivanka Trump
b.) Senator Donald Trump Jr
c.) Senator Eric Trump
d.) Congresswoman Melania Trump.
Picture it.
Picture any of them gunning for the presidency.
Currently, 70M of your population voted for the Trump patriarch.
a.) Senator Ivanka Trump
b.) Senator Donald Trump Jr
c.) Senator Eric Trump
d.) Congresswoman Melania Trump.
Picture it.
Picture any of them gunning for the presidency.
Currently, 70M of your population voted for the Trump patriarch.
That's what happens when you don't bring corrupt officials and fascists to heel. They will use the money (that they managed to amass while they were in power - let's not pretend that the Trumps didn't line their pockets during 45's presidency) to secure their positions.
They can easily bide their time and wait for an opportunity to return. And why wouldn't they? They've already proven to be shameless, and arguably have a mandate from a large swathe of American society.
If you don't want that problem: BRING THEM TO JUSTICE.
If you don't want that problem: BRING THEM TO JUSTICE.
This whole talk of healing, etc. sounds nice and mature, but it doesn't consider the public good. The wounds of this presidency aren't accidental - they were purposeful. This isn't healing after surgery or accident; much of the harm inflicted was intentional.
Such wounds require an apology. I honestly doubt that the Trumps are capable of that. You can't heal if the Trumps have no reason to change their behavior. Is there currently any good faith reason to believe that they would?
So, in the absence of that: bring them to justice.
So, in the absence of that: bring them to justice.
I've mentioned before that the USA has been and was the model of Philippine democracy. The two reflect each other. How closely? Tactics used in the 2016 US elections were honed in the Philippines. Remember Cambridge Analytica? We got hit by that first. https://www.rappler.com/nation/facebook-data-scandal-cambridge-analytica-help-duterte-win-philippine-elections
American friends: seeing that the PH was used as a testing ground for tactics that worked in the USA, it might be wise to look for what's next from a fascist's playbook: if you don't deal with them now, they will come back.
Don't let the 2020 election just be a stopgap measure.
Don't let the 2020 election just be a stopgap measure.
This isn't meant to scare anyone. I just hope my friends realize how close they still are to losing what was so hard fought over the previous months of campaigning. You can't stop now. Flip your Senate. Win those Georgia Senate seats. And KEEP THE TRUMPS AND THEIR ILK OUT.
Adding that the Marcoses won't do it alone: they need insiders to keep them in the loop. The Trumps' power will be maintained by their allies in their absence. The Marcoses had their Enriles, Defensor-Santiagos, et al, while you will have McConnells or Grahams.
Giving credit where it's due to @lichcasts , a historian who knows their stuff and reminded me of the fascist's playbook.
