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Jon Plummer's avatar

Given the popular and benign business use of the term "collaboration," I think "collaborator" does not sound nearly malfeasant enough. traitor turncoat defector quisling betrayer double-crosser back-stabber snake colluder conspirator sellout rat

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Colleen McGloughlin's avatar

Conspirator, maybe?

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Amy Parker's avatar

Colluder! Yes! Excellent term!

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Amy Parker's avatar

And might I say, John Roberts and his band of merry little fascist friends should be referred to as COLLABORATORS, because that is what they are. They are not protectors of the constitution. They are protectors of the regime.

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Todd Weber's avatar

I would propose that the John Roberts' band are "enablers" creating more matches for the fascist arsonists - MUCH more conceptual and behavioral agency than if they were only collaborating from the sidelines.

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Amy Parker's avatar

I like it! Enablers! I chose “collaborators” because during WWII, they were the most reviled, the lowest of the low. Maybe that’s not a reference that younger people would tag into.

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Todd Weber's avatar

Amy absolutely yes in the WWII context - though due to the overwhelming deadly presence of Hitler's forces early in the war many "collaborators" were faced with the "do this or die" extreme. Not a lot of wiggle room for personal agency in such a deadly corner. In our current situation as best as we can tell none of Roberts' band are in any kind of dire corner... so near to or at 100% of their thoughts and actions are entirely on their own agency - their own free-will choices. Hence my "enablers" to emphasize their full free-will agency in planning and promoting the current Rump administration's path and actions. Hope that is helpful.

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AnaMaria🌸's avatar

Excellent discussion. I learn every time I hear you, I am also sharing your written notes with others… the more that know the truth the more we as Americans will be awake to what is happening…FASCISM 101

It is scary and dangerous but we need to say the word… FASCISM

Is the USA still a Democracy or is it a FASCIST country?!

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Scott & John in MA & FL's avatar

Or—is it a destabilized Democracy currently being run by a Fascist regime?

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Ann Zerkel's avatar

Thank you Michael and Anat.

I live in a retirement community. Although I do have friends on the "outside," nobody I know has able to elucidate what is happening to our country. You have given me back my words.

I will play this video at the start of each new day.

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EDH's avatar

Yes that is what is needed !!

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David Glaser's avatar

Excellent conversation. We’re so beaten down every day with such bad news. I’d like to know what we’re facing to get this country back on track when we finally defeat Donald - because he will be defeated sooner or later. I refuse to think the US and our democracy are over. It’s off line for a while, but not gone. It’s going to require a heck of a leader and Congress. What qualities will that take so we can ignore people who have already disqualified themselves?

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Linda carruthers's avatar

Thank you both. An excellent discussion and lots of good ideas. Bravo!

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Nookomis's avatar

Thank you!

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Kitty Hartford's avatar

Many thanks for the new vocaulary words! This has been something we can use in every conversation and in every action we take.

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Doug R's avatar

Thanks to you both! I'm eagerly snapping up everything you guys put out, and trying to model 'social proof' on my FB page (very much against my introvert grain btw) & use outcome vs. process descriptions. Wish more establishment dems were listening to you folks, but we gotta do what we can where we are. Thanks to you both!

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Sanity Please's avatar

Michael, I’m always interested and usually learn from both you and Anat, and I look forward to listening to your timely conversation. But FYI, use of the phrase “call a spade a spade” gave me enough pause that I looked up its origins. It turns out that its usage dates back to the ancients, and it apparently has an entirely innocuous pedigree. I thought I should nevertheless let you know how it initially struck me in case you inadvertently cause offense. For more: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/09/19/224183763/is-it-racist-to-call-a-spade-a-spade

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Anat Shenker-Osorio's avatar

Fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing.

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Jane A's avatar

I'm 70. Spade used to be a contemptuous term for a Black person. It's not used anymore, but I remember it and react to it and I suspect others my age do as well. It's like the word "queer".

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Todd Weber's avatar

I had that same pause (possibly more of a mental gasp) as you Sanity. And I agree with Anat in thanking you for thinking to share this..

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Lisa Efthymiou's avatar

I was looking for that link to the glossary mentioned...

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Marie HK's avatar

Click on the link in the text "Fascism and the English Language" below the video to get to the glossary guide

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BC's avatar

Harris addresses what he said he would do. So how did her pointing it out not be taken seriously ?

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BC's avatar

Can we educate the political democrats to use these words consistently?

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Shirlee's avatar

This is terrific advice! Thanks for sharing your insights 🗽⚖️🗣️

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EDH's avatar

We need a new vocabulary. Perfect. In that way, we need to act like we are learning a new language in a foreign country. We need to speak this vocabulary to one another and to others around us. Be specific. Your discusssion helped me fight facism. My message to my friends and anyone who will listen. It is not the "Muskrats" that are the problem. The problem is the facists are stealing your data and breaking into your systems. 330 million Americans .. think about it .. everyone has a Social Security number. They are stealing your FICA data, they are stealing your IRS data. If someone broke into your computer at your home they could not do even a drop of the damage that is already in process by these fascist billionares when they steal the data and crash the systems.

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EDH's avatar

Excellent EXCELLENT !!

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