William Lindsey 2d ago

Irish writer Colm Tóibín addresses what Trump has shown the world about Americans, and Americans about themselves:

"Tóibín believes Trump has indelibly tarnished the idea of the US as the so-called land of the free. 'America can never really lift its head again,' he says."

#Trump #America #morality #Christianity #democracy
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https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/colm-toibin-books-news-from-dublin-interview-b2948353.html

Colm Tóibín on a post-Trump world: ‘America has a stain on its soul’

The Booker Prize-winning author of ‘Brooklyn’ is not one for parties, preferring to spend his time either at home or in the library. He speaks with Claire Allfree about his hermit lifestyle, his new collection of short stories – and the irreversible damage done by Donald Trump’s presidency to America’s legacy

The Independent
Show threadMirishuli2d ago
@wdlindsy Ever again is a bit much. But for the moment, we should hang our heads in shame. And then get to work creating a better America.
Show threadkit1d ago

@MiriShuli
It really isn't. It's been said at multiple levels, we will never trust you again. And still the US keeps doubling down on the cruelty and the grift.

And until the citizens understand that, until they have made clear changes, and shown their commitment to never again, to actual equality for all, genuine rights, and humane treatment of *all* their citizens, as well as aliens, then there we have to say never again.

Trying all your war criminals at an international court would be a start.

@wdlindsy

Show threadMirishuli1d ago

@hypostase @wdlindsy Kit, you won’t, and nor would I if I were you, but your lifespan doesn’t include forever. Many people thought the same about Pearl Harbor/The Japanese, Germany, Vietnam.

There is a statue to John McCain in Hanoi, a man who was bombing them.

I hope I get to live long enough to watch Nuremberg 2.0.

Show threadkit1d ago

@MiriShuli
Japan and Germany changed. under occupation, true, and in the case of Germany with an enforced change to the electoral system designed to create weak government, in Japan, the overthrow of the Emperor.

Vietnam? Vietnam was just another US war crime.

@wdlindsy

Show threadMirishuli
@hypostase @wdlindsy You missed the point. The Vietnamese didn’t hate us for forever. Never is a long time.
7:50amWeb
Show threadkit11h ago

@MiriShuli @wdlindsy Dear heart, it's not about hate, it's about trust.

And the point is, that unless you choose to change as a nation, it seems very unlikely that anyone will be able to afford to trust you.

In the meanwhile, your president is fundamentally changing the world economic order, in ways that may be very difficult to step back from.

Sure, eventually, you may change, but unless you choose to actively attempt to do so, that never again doesn't look like any time soon.