With apologies to Pastor Martin Niemöller...
First they came for the Mexicans
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Mexican
Then they came for the woke
And I did not speak out
Because I was not woke
Then they came for the peace camp dwellers in front of The White House
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a peace camp dweller
Then they came for the judges
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a judge
Then they came for the comedians
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a comedian
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
It is terrible the shutdown of free speech in America and the poem says it well. America is being terrorized by an authoritarian method of government that needs to be overthrown.
ReplyDeleteTrump and his henchmen appear to have no qualms about their authoritarianism, unapologetically ignoring the normal rules of democracy.
DeleteAnd Australia’s ABC has been barred from the press conference at Chequers because one of their reporters asked Trump a “nasty” question in the US. Can you imagine Trump facing Paxo in his heyday or Humphreys.
ReplyDeletePaxman and Humphreys were sharp, intellectual giants compared Emperor Donald.
DeleteThe US media seems totally inept, not doing what journalists are supposed to do, that is question. Media is just not asking questions about the nonsense that comes from the mouth of #47, nor his hench people. I don't know Kimmel's show, but I know what he said to offend. When I think of the outrageous things that have come from the mouths of GOP and MAGA, even Kirk, the treatment of Kimmel is a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Andrew.
DeleteIt is sickening that the right is canonizing a racist bigoted transphobic homophobic misogynistic gun nut and if you don't goose-step along you're punished.
ReplyDeleteYour fascists appear to be getting bolder. I wonder who they will target next.
DeleteOnce again I ask- can you imagine LIVING in this country now? The unbelievable happens daily, and then tomorrow- a new one.
ReplyDeleteWell I can imagine it Mary because I have been following the news closely. It is no longer the free and friendly America that I first knew and loved. I doubt that I will ever return now.
DeleteAnd they're doing it already -- certain factions of the right wing are already going after certain other factions of the right wing. This is a monster that will destroy itself, but unfortunately it may take the rest of us with it.
ReplyDeleteDavid Pakman was speculating on his show about being one of the next left wing commentators to be cancelled.
DeleteI'm sickened and frightened by what's happening on a personal level (Kimmel is my favorite) and on a legal and ethical level. :(
ReplyDeleteWhat's next Margaret? You have my sympathy.
DeleteEach day is worse here than the day before. And on a less important note, they have started cutting down all the old trees around the White House to build Trump's ballroom. How he is doing all this w/out any approvals is beyond me. The building is on the National Register, for god's sake. Not as important as freedom of speech but just another example of Trump doing whatever (trashy) thing he wants.
ReplyDeleteChopping down the trees and mutilating The White House is perfect symbolism for a leader and a regime that do not give two hoots about history, legacy, taste and democracy.
DeleteThis is exactly what's happening. Americans have had their last election.
ReplyDeleteThe Thing has not mentioned Canada becoming the 51st state for quite a while now. Maybe he has forgotten.
DeleteIt boggles the mind.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth will be next?
DeleteI am heartsick and disgusted all at the same time. I liked Jimmy Kimmel and I would watch his monologue the next day on youtube.
ReplyDeleteTrump and his gang may be able to put pressure on YouTube to remove channels that do not bow down to him... such as The Meidas Touch.
DeleteAnd the Meidas Touch is something else that I listen to every day. I sure hope that doesn't happen.
Deleteand Smuk had the audacity to accuse UK and Europe as having killed free speech! In law school we discussed RIGHTS and acknowledge that rights come with obligations - something the loudest shouters either don't know or choose to overlook. One of those obligations is not to take the rights iof others - like the right to live free of persecution. Free speech will always have caveats. Debate is different to hate…
ReplyDeleteSkum's video appearance in London was unadulterated terrorism. A vile abuse of free speech.
DeleteIt's terrible.
ReplyDeleteOpen-mouthed, I shake my head.
DeleteI have no idea what to add except that I agree with every one of your commenters. And that I'm very relieved to live north of the 49th parallel.
ReplyDeleteCanada should consider building a big, beautiful southern wall... and paint it black!
DeleteI watched the video because I had never seen Jimmy Kimmel before and I think the man should be reinstated immediately. He's funny! Trump is like a toddler tearfully shouting "I'm going to tell on you!" only his method is to get people fired. In my opinion, if he can't take then he shouldn't be dishing it out. Whatever happened to free speech for all?
ReplyDeleteTo Trump, "free speech" belongs in the same bag as wind farms and solar panels. He is the guy who ignited the January 6th insurrection.
DeleteCould not agree more with the poem. Like River, I had never seen Jimmy Kimmel before, although his name was familiar, so I watched the video. Trump's swift move to ban him makes us realise that free speech is fast disappearing in the US. The sheer hypocrisy of accusing Europe and the UK of banning free speech is unbelievable. My sympathy to all Americans who voted to continue with a free country. Sadly with the current administraton, it will soon be consigned to the darkest chapter in history.
ReplyDeleteVanishing in plain sight and if/when America re-elects a Democrat president, so much ground will have been lost that it will be exceedingly hard to get it back.
DeleteIt is interested to read his supporters defend his actions. For example “Kimmel’s right to free speech hasn’t been threatened, he can go on social media” and “Free speech has nothing to do with a private company choosing to fire an employee.”
ReplyDeleteThe Trump Regime and its blind followers are experts at twisting the truth.
Delete