1 - From 1978 to 1995, a misbegotten loner savagely acting out against contemporary society rained terror on unsuspecting Americans, killing three and injuring twenty-three. I'd forgotten many details about Ted Kaczynski, aka the Unabomber, but today's news conveys reminders. Among the most disturbing facts is found in this brief paragraph:
Kaczynski kept himself busy with correspondence. He periodically donated the hate mail addressed to him — as well as his many exchanges with fans — to a special collection at the University of Michigan library.
The man received fan mail (in addition to hate mail). The Unabomber had fans. One hopes not that many and few in positions of authority.
2 - Boris Johnson, a well-documented liar, resigned from Parliament in protest over an investigation of his conduct by his colleagues. The former Prime Minister's response was altogether predictable. He decried a "witch hunt" and denounced the committee conducting the investigation as a "kangaroo court" intent on carrying out a "political hit job."
Here's what I found significant: the leadership of the Conservative Party has not gone to the mat in defense of Johnson or his lies. Few Conservatives in office (or in partisan rightwing media) have rallied around him.
3 - Donald Trump has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Among the charges: violation of the Espionage Act that bars willful retention of national defense information (31 counts); withholding or concealing boxes of documents in a federal investigation (3 counts); making false statements (2 counts); and engaging in a conspiracy to obstruct justice (1 count).
Ample evidence of many of the facts alleged have been clearly established by Donald Trump's own words. To cite a single instance: lacking concern for protecting national security, Trump sought to defy a subpoena by insisting: I don't want anybody going through my boxes.
My boxes. How well that sums up the former president's attitude when the law conflicts with his personal preferences.
Trump's flouting the law is all too familiar to anyone who has watched him for the past eight years, yet few leaders in the GOP dare to confirm what's in plain sight. Those who speak out mimic Trump's slander of law enforcement and launch political attacks. From Speaker McCarthy to Senator Graham, from Governor DeSantis to former Governor Haley , from Fox News to state parties throughout the country the Grand Old Party is replete with Trump wannabes and defenders.
Never mind truth, the rule of law, the nation's security, or country over party. Those are brushed aside, while the most unrestrained partisans (following the example of Trump himself, over many months' time) increasingly indulge in violent rhetoric.
Our democracy is threatened by the corrupt status quo within one of our two major political parties.