Episode 77

77: Attack from Within

Published on: 10th January, 2022

Attack from Within

The Radical Secular is sponsored in part by Kanibal & Co., Jersey City, NJ

(00:00) Intro and T-shirts

(09:10) Joe, Christophe and Sean answer viewer/listener questions from Episode 76 on the topic of the film "Don't Look Up."

(24:42) Lessons from January sixth. Viewing the January 6, 2021 insurrection in the context of the long history of American anti-democracy movements. The actors and actions leading up to the Capitol riot. The message discipline in the modern GOP, that slaps down any truthful statements, even from top party leaders like Ted Cruz. The hearsay rule--taking statements made in the heat of a crisis seriously. GOP denial about the 2020 election and the January 6 atrocity itself.

(54:46) Prosecuting the capitol attack. It wasn't just a coup attempt, but also a criminal conspiracy that resulted in at least 9 deaths. Right wing false equivalency with BLM protests. Merrick Garland's tepid response. The degeneracy of the GOP, ostracizing the few party members who are still willing to stand for small-d democracy. The GOP plot to nullify the popular vote in states.

(01:04:20) Exploring the demographic profile of the insurrectionists. The herd mentality. State legislative attempts to overrule the popular vote.

(01:14:58) Can we reverse course and save democracy? What would need to happen? And what are the odds of it happening?

(01:23:41) Wrap-up and Outro

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Show notes:

Estimates vary from 6 to 12 percent of the American population (approximately 11-24 million people) who hold white supremacist views, and support varying levels of violence to achieve their aims.

A look back at Americans’ reactions to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Pew Research Center.

Declining Share of Republicans Say It Is Important To Prosecute Jan. 6 Rioters. Pew Research Center.

Corporations Donated Millions to Lawmakers Who Voted to Overturn Election Results

We Know Exactly Who the Capitol Rioters Were. Slate.

Turns out that frogs in the pot will jump out before it boils, after all

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