Truth and Reconciliation: An Orwellian Strategy

 

When I first heard the proposal of a “truth and reconciliation” process in the United States, I felt my hair stand on end. Robert Reich, formerly of the Clinton Administration, proposed this kind of commission be established, and I knew that he was up to no good. I actually felt outraged when he used the term because I knew that these commissions were established internationally to deal with the outcomes of devastating upheavals in 40 countries. I am very familiar with events in Rwanda:

The Justice and Reconciliation Process in Rwanda— During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, up to one million people perished and as many as 250,000 women were raped, leaving the country’s population traumatized and its infrastructure decimated. Since then, Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious justice and reconciliation process with the ultimate aim of all Rwandans once again living side by side in peace.

Justice after the genocide—In the years following the genocide, more than 120,000 people were detained and accused of bearing criminal responsibility for their participation in the killings.

Following this kind of horror—one million people killed in one month—Rwanda knew that steps had to be taken in an effort to unify the country.

But Robert Reich’s proposal borders on evil:

‘When this nightmare is over, we need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission,’ Reich tweeted. ‘It would erase Trump’s lies, comfort those who have been harmed by his hatefulness, and name every official, politician, executive, and media mogul whose greed and cowardice enabled this catastrophe.’

Seriously? Does Reich truly believe that a commission of this type will unify the country? Do we need to execute people’s reputations or even lock them up because people’s feelings have been hurt? Not alone in his ruthless commitment to take revenge, he followed Chris Hayes’ recommendation at MSNBC who proposed a similar commission for those who questioned COVID-19 protocols.

It’s clear that Reich and other Trump-haters are determined to punish Trump and anyone associated with Republicans. All the positive outcomes of the Trump administration are irrelevant: improved foreign policy, a thriving economy, reduced regulations, energy independence. None of those achievements matter. The only goal that matters is destroying the political Right and the Republican party.

The columnist at the Chicago Tribune, John Kass, has taken the punishment for his positions as well. Here’s what he said recently about Reich’s proposal:

Among Republicans, the outraged hot take on all of this is to bring up George Orwell’s ‘1984.’

‘It’s Orwellian,”’ they say.

But Orwell’s ‘1984’ was a soulless world ruled by dispassionate intellects. Their terror was numbing and methodical. These Reich/Hayes Truth Commissions are tinged instead with the angry passion of the zealot seeking revenge. It’s rather French. No, not the France of today, but of the French Revolution, of tribunals and trials and the Reign of Terror, the France of the Jacobins.

That prominent Democrats feel free to propose a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is unnerving, even frightening. We must assume that they are deadly serious.

Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

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  1. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Jeff Hawkins (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins: And if Trump loses, will you abjure any violence and support a peaceable transfer of power?

    I think we should offer the same level of support your Democratic friends offered after November 9, 2016. Deal?

    That’s fine. While Dems went into resistance, only Antifa went into violence, and has been roundly denounced.

    They spied on the transition team

     

    And they weaponized the FBI to try a coup on the President.

    • #121
  2. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins: And if Trump loses, will you abjure any violence and support a peaceable transfer of power?

    I think we should offer the same level of support your Democratic friends offered after November 9, 2016. Deal?

    That’s fine. While Dems went into resistance, only Antifa went into violence, and has been roundly denounced.

    Not by your nominee. Quite visibly not by your nominee. Or his party (now your party).

    The proclivity of Democrats for supporting Antifa has become notoriously obvious. Denials, excuses, justifications, and government protections.

    Almost like Republicans embracing Q-Anon…

    Show me one example of Q Anon violence.

    • #122
  3. Paul Stinchfield Member
    Paul Stinchfield
    @PaulStinchfield

    Kozak (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    EJHill (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins: And if Trump loses, will you abjure any violence and support a peaceable transfer of power?

    I think we should offer the same level of support your Democratic friends offered after November 9, 2016. Deal?

    That’s fine. While Dems went into resistance, only Antifa went into violence, and has been roundly denounced.

    Not by your nominee. Quite visibly not by your nominee. Or his party (now your party).

    The proclivity of Democrats for supporting Antifa has become notoriously obvious. Denials, excuses, justifications, and government protections.

    Almost like Republicans embracing Q-Anon…

    Show me one example of Q Anon violence.

    I don’t know anybody who embraces the Q Anon conspiracy theory, but I know a lot of liberals who see nothing disturbing in a Democrat politician with lifelong close connections to Communists, terrorists, islamo-fascists, etc. And then there are the liberals who, when a violent thug is shot while attacking police (or his victim), see only a martyr–and who seem to see nothing wrong with rioting leftists destroying the livelihoods of hard-working Americans but do see something wrong in police and citizens using force to stop the rioters.

    • #123
  4. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square. 

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    • #124
  5. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    • #125
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    • #126
  7. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Paul Stinchfield (View Comment):
    I don’t know anybody who embraces the Q Anon conspiracy theory, but I know a lot of liberals who see nothing disturbing in a Democrat politician with lifelong close connections to Communists, terrorists, islamo-fascists, etc. And then there are the liberals who, when a violent thug is shot while attacking police (or his victim), see only a martyr–and who seem to see nothing wrong with rioting leftists destroying the livelihoods of hard-working Americans but do see something wrong in police and citizens using force to stop the rioters.

    I know a person who’s at least Q-adjacent. If I had to choose between living next to someone who believes in Q-Anon and someone in antifa I’d choose the former. At least then all I’d have to worry about is extended rants about black helicopters and such.

     

    • #127
  8. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    • #128
  9. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    In that case Trump should fire Esper and invoke the Insurrection Act. 

    He should also consider busting a few generals down to private. 

    • #129
  10. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    • #130
  11. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone. 

    • #131
  12. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Django (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone.

    Yes, but “we” won’t be allowed to leave everyone alone because of the violence and general civil unrest I predict. Riot police and National Guardsmen going up against rioters is a big problem. Not a happy thought. I don’t have a crystal ball, but that’s what I fear we are in store for with a Trump win. What a Biden win will mean for everyday life is hard to say, but I’m thinking it’s not so good, either.

    • #132
  13. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone.

    Yes, but “we” won’t be allowed to leave everyone alone because of the violence and general civil unrest I predict. Riot police and National Guardsmen going up against rioters is a big problem. Not a happy thought. I don’t have a crystal ball, but that’s what I fear we are in store for with a Trump win. What a Biden win will mean for everyday life is hard to say, but I’m thinking it’s not so good, either.

    Michelle Obama was more right then she knew in 2008 when she made this speech.

    Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

    • #133
  14. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone.

    Yes, but “we” won’t be allowed to leave everyone alone because of the violence and general civil unrest I predict. Riot police and National Guardsmen going up against rioters is a big problem. Not a happy thought. I don’t have a crystal ball, but that’s what I fear we are in store for with a Trump win. What a Biden win will mean for everyday life is hard to say, but I’m thinking it’s not so good, either.

    Michelle Obama was more right then she knew in 2008 when she made this speech.

    Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

    I just threw up in my mouth a little re-reading that.

    • #134
  15. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone.

    Yes, but “we” won’t be allowed to leave everyone alone because of the violence and general civil unrest I predict. Riot police and National Guardsmen going up against rioters is a big problem. Not a happy thought. I don’t have a crystal ball, but that’s what I fear we are in store for with a Trump win. What a Biden win will mean for everyday life is hard to say, but I’m thinking it’s not so good, either.

    Michelle Obama was more right then she knew in 2008 when she made this speech.

    Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

    Good Lord. I don’t remember that speech. It concerns me that large swaths of the population nod approvingly at that sort of thing.

    • #135
  16. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Suspira (View Comment):
    Good Lord. I don’t remember that speech.

    I am surprised – that speech chilled me to the bone when I heard it. Thank God Barack Obama is a fundamentally lazy man surrounded by sycophants and couldn’t be bothered to do it.

    • #136
  17. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):
    Good Lord. I don’t remember that speech.

    I am surprised – that speech chilled me to the bone when I heard it. Thank God Barack Obama is a fundamentally lazy man surrounded by sycophants and couldn’t be bothered to do it.

    My ability to forget things is truly awesome.

    • #137
  18. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Django (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: Let’s hope more than ever that November 3 is a Trump victory.

    If Trump wins, I fear we will see a truly terrifying outbreak of mindless violence. And if Biden wins, we get (metaphorical, I hope) guillotines in the public square.

    I don’t know about how the world ends, but pace Elliott, American democracy will go out with a bang.

    It’s going to be ugly for a while, but I’m not quite ready to give up on our democratic Republic.

    My nature tends toward pessimism. I hope the American experiment isn’t over, but it’s hard to see how we continue, considering our tribal hatreds. A house divided, and all that. Still, we can hope for the best.

    If “we” win, there will be no problem. All we want is complete control so we can repeal a lot of laws, leaving only those that are necessary for a society to function, and then ruthlessly leave everyone alone.

    Yes, but “we” won’t be allowed to leave everyone alone because of the violence and general civil unrest I predict. Riot police and National Guardsmen going up against rioters is a big problem. Not a happy thought. I don’t have a crystal ball, but that’s what I fear we are in store for with a Trump win. What a Biden win will mean for everyday life is hard to say, but I’m thinking it’s not so good, either.

    Michelle Obama was more right then she knew in 2008 when she made this speech.

    Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

    I just threw up in my mouth a little re-reading that.

    He seems to have lost his charm. When he campaigns today, he gets 19 attendees if he’s lucky. The act grew old. There will be more problems to deal with, but Barack and Michelle are history. 

    • #138
  19. Boney Cole Member
    Boney Cole
    @BoneyCole

    We need an overwhelming presence in Washington DC on election night and the next day demanding a peaceful response to the election, no matter who wins.  We need hundreds of thousands of peaceful citizens there to displace the violent anarchic revolutionaries.  We need to take up the space and preserve our republic.  We need twenty patriots for every America hater. Michelle Malkin has written an article outlining the plans of the rioters.  we need to overwhelm them. 

    • #139
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