Miles, there is one particular thing Solzhenitsyn used to speak of — what one ordinary person can do to resist tyranny, someone not an elected official, nor a writer or artist. Don’t lie for them. Don’t use their language of lies.
He said it so much more eloquently, but pointed out political violence and degradation cannot exist without “the lie.” They go hand in hand. So don’t lie. If evil is to reign in this world, he said, so be it, but NOT THROUGH ME.
Whenever the next mass demonstration in Washington takes place, my hand-written sign will simply say:
This article is amazing. Well written, easy to understand and spot on. I will be sending it on to as many people as I can. I live in a blue state and the governor here is doing his best. Thank you Miles.
Thank you for sharing this powerful reflection. Your vivid description of that staged dinner focuses the present reality into sharp relief. The symbolism you highlight is poignant: a president isolated by security, surrounded by power, yet met with protest and public dissent. It’s a stark contrast between the performance of safety and the underlying tensions of a democracy grappling with authoritarian tendencies.
Your invocation of Cicero, Spinoza, and Solzhenitsyn is inspired and timely. These thinkers remind us that resistance to tyranny is both ancient and urgent. The lessons you draw from their struggles defeating the coward within, using your voice, and relentlessly attacking lies are not just theoretical; they’re practical calls to action. I read Cicero in high school and totally forgot.
Cicero’s warning against the sin of inaction especially resonates. It’s so easy, in times of fatigue and cynicism, to retreat from the fray. But, as you point out, silence breeds complicity. And in a climate where presidential power is weaponized against criticism, where dissent is equated with treason, the responsibility to speak out becomes all the more critical.
Spinoza’s insistence on free expression as the bulwark against tyranny is essential, especially as attacks on press freedom and public discourse multiply. The courage to think and say what we believe is foundational not only for politics, but for our own integrity.
Solzhenitsyn’s call to attack lies, not just defend the truth, is the final and perhaps most difficult challenge. In an age of misinformation and deliberate distortion, it’s not enough to stand for what’s right; we must actively confront what’s false. Your recognition of the “new Big Lie,” the criminalization of dissent, hits directly at the heart of our crisis.
Thank you for reminding us that the defense of democracy starts within, but cannot stay there. It must speak out, reject passivity, and challenge the distortions that threaten our republic. History shows that the tools for resistance are tried and true; it’s up to us to use them.
Let’s hope more are inspired to step forward, confront their fears, raise their voices, and refuse to be silent in the face of lies.
We MUST fight to save our country! I've taken the Spinoza and Solzhenitsyn quote and applied them over protest images to share, just as I have shared the link to this excellent instructive post. Thank you, Miles.
This article gives me great comfort..it tells me that there are many others who know the orange emperor has no clothes on while lumbering around to a restaurant in DC.
DAMN, Miles, that’s some excellent writing right there. Thank you from the bottom of my little black heart. 🖤
I’m familiar with these quotes, but I’m going to add these books to my kindle right now and study them. . for my children, my grandchildren, my fellow man.
And I’m sharing your post all over hell and half of Georgia.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, eat good food and rest when you can. Dance and laugh with your wife.
Excellent writing Miles. I’ve shared it. I can’t go to the next protest, but I will continue to donate as much as I can. Knee replace next week. (Grrr~ kind of frustrating) And a big thank you for all that you do!
Miles, there is one particular thing Solzhenitsyn used to speak of — what one ordinary person can do to resist tyranny, someone not an elected official, nor a writer or artist. Don’t lie for them. Don’t use their language of lies.
He said it so much more eloquently, but pointed out political violence and degradation cannot exist without “the lie.” They go hand in hand. So don’t lie. If evil is to reign in this world, he said, so be it, but NOT THROUGH ME.
Whenever the next mass demonstration in Washington takes place, my hand-written sign will simply say:
NOT with my consent!
NOT through me!
NOT on my goddamn watch!
You put your finger on it - we are the ordinary people who must resist this tyranny!
This article is amazing. Well written, easy to understand and spot on. I will be sending it on to as many people as I can. I live in a blue state and the governor here is doing his best. Thank you Miles.
You were made for this moment in history Miles!
FIGHT BACK! If YOU Live in a Blue State, follow this link and Contact Your Governor!
https://open.substack.com/pub/jodygorran/p/if-you-live-in-a-blue-state-contact?r=68rn&utm_medium=ios
Excellent motivation and clear next steps @milestaylor.
Thank you for sharing this powerful reflection. Your vivid description of that staged dinner focuses the present reality into sharp relief. The symbolism you highlight is poignant: a president isolated by security, surrounded by power, yet met with protest and public dissent. It’s a stark contrast between the performance of safety and the underlying tensions of a democracy grappling with authoritarian tendencies.
Your invocation of Cicero, Spinoza, and Solzhenitsyn is inspired and timely. These thinkers remind us that resistance to tyranny is both ancient and urgent. The lessons you draw from their struggles defeating the coward within, using your voice, and relentlessly attacking lies are not just theoretical; they’re practical calls to action. I read Cicero in high school and totally forgot.
Cicero’s warning against the sin of inaction especially resonates. It’s so easy, in times of fatigue and cynicism, to retreat from the fray. But, as you point out, silence breeds complicity. And in a climate where presidential power is weaponized against criticism, where dissent is equated with treason, the responsibility to speak out becomes all the more critical.
Spinoza’s insistence on free expression as the bulwark against tyranny is essential, especially as attacks on press freedom and public discourse multiply. The courage to think and say what we believe is foundational not only for politics, but for our own integrity.
Solzhenitsyn’s call to attack lies, not just defend the truth, is the final and perhaps most difficult challenge. In an age of misinformation and deliberate distortion, it’s not enough to stand for what’s right; we must actively confront what’s false. Your recognition of the “new Big Lie,” the criminalization of dissent, hits directly at the heart of our crisis.
Thank you for reminding us that the defense of democracy starts within, but cannot stay there. It must speak out, reject passivity, and challenge the distortions that threaten our republic. History shows that the tools for resistance are tried and true; it’s up to us to use them.
Let’s hope more are inspired to step forward, confront their fears, raise their voices, and refuse to be silent in the face of lies.
We MUST fight to save our country! I've taken the Spinoza and Solzhenitsyn quote and applied them over protest images to share, just as I have shared the link to this excellent instructive post. Thank you, Miles.
This article gives me great comfort..it tells me that there are many others who know the orange emperor has no clothes on while lumbering around to a restaurant in DC.
DAMN, Miles, that’s some excellent writing right there. Thank you from the bottom of my little black heart. 🖤
I’m familiar with these quotes, but I’m going to add these books to my kindle right now and study them. . for my children, my grandchildren, my fellow man.
And I’m sharing your post all over hell and half of Georgia.
Stay safe, stay hydrated, eat good food and rest when you can. Dance and laugh with your wife.
Feed your spirit.
❣️🇺🇸Thanks for your video, reporting & historical prompts.
https://bsky.app/profile/kenaiseasky.bsky.social/post/3lyiuztlp2s2k
Excellent writing Miles. I’ve shared it. I can’t go to the next protest, but I will continue to donate as much as I can. Knee replace next week. (Grrr~ kind of frustrating) And a big thank you for all that you do!