To Trump and the MAGA GOP: “Real Americans fear you not, and we have not yet begun to fight.”

Happy Martin Luther King Day, TAT readers,

No, I am not ignoring the inauguration debacle in Washington D.C. today but why should a cause determined to undo our constitutional republic, get top billing? To celebrate MLK is to celebrate the true meaning of America rather than Trump’s Four Horsemen of the MAGA Apocalypse, Autocracy, Oligarchy, White Christian Nationalism and Political Violence. MLK and his pursuit of the inalienable human rights as described in our founding documents and constitution. These documents represent the true intentions of our radically progressive or, “woke’ founders.

So many of us are sad, depressed and feel defeated. This I understand as clearly as you do. Still, when considering the “fight or flight” response, I am irrevocably committed to the fight against evil, and the fight to ensure the survival of our true American values and principles. As Captain John Paul Jones said while engaged in a brutal sea-battle against a British Naval vessel of superior size and weaponry, during our Revolutionary War, “I have not yet begun to fight.” Such an ideal, has become a well-established layer of our patriotic American identity. This is what triggers my dedication to oppose the Trump/ MAGA threat.

 "At the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775, Jones went to Philadelphia and entered the Continental Navy. He was commissioned a lieutenant on the first American flagship, Alfred. Jones was quickly promoted to captain in 1776, and was given command of the sloop Providence. While on his first cruise aboard Providence, he destroyed British fisheries in Nova Scotia and captured sixteen prize British ships.

In command of Ranger in 1777 and 1778, he operated in British home waters and made audacious raids on England’s shore. In recognition of his exploits, he was placed in command of five French and American vessels. Aboard his flagship, Bonhomme Richard, Jones led his small squadron in the capture of seven merchantmen off the Scottish coast. On 23 September 1779, Jones fought one of the bloodiest engagements in naval history with the 44-gun Royal Navy frigate Serapis. Although his own vessel was burning and sinking, Jones would not accept the British demand for surrender, replying, “I have not yet begun to fight.” More than three hours later, Serapis surrendered, and Jones took command."

- John Paul Jones, 6 July 1747 − 18 July 1792
- Naval History and Heritage Command

One of the most famous inaugural quotes from an American president comes from President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, better known as FDR. When he took office in his first of four inaugural speeches, he faced much the same nation that we do now, an intensely divided nation, not just between left and right, but also challenged by communism, The American Bund Party/ Nazi Party, the Klan etc. Republicans for many of the same reasons that we see in today’s GOP had enabled the Great Depression via oligarchical type support and protectionism for elite wealth and rabid isolationism that supported Hitler and the Axis Powers by failing to support our allies. The similarities go far deeper, but today I am simply making a point.

"I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."

- The first paragraph in FDR's first inaugural address
- March 4, 1933

FDR told all Americans, not just Democrats that “all we had to fear, was fear itself.” The same applies today, as we are again subjected to the presidency of the most immoral man to enter politics since Aaron Burr. Even VP Burr’s murder of Alexander Hamiliton during a duel, doesn’t compare to the threat of today’s Trumpian MAGA GOP assault on our very republic. As clear-thinking Americans well understand, actual American values are fully absent within today’s GOP.

Donald Trump and MAGA thrive and sustain their immoral ideology on fearmongering, both inspiring fear in their supporters about immigrants and laughable culture wars, while using fear of their cruelty to coerce the rest of us to not resist their dictatorial agendas. It pays to recall FDR’s words here. There is nothing a morally principled America cannot achieve, even the vanquishing of the despotic regime moving into their new DC jobs today. I am not afraid, but triggered to respond as the best of Americans have done throughout history, famous or unknowns. Americans are stridently fearless when our identity is challenged, and it is the secret weapon that we own, by virtue of being American.

I will close with this stand-my-ground admonition to Trump and the GOP: “Real Americans fear you not, and we have not yet begun to fight.”

America, this isn’t over, and I will stand proudly at the side of anyone who embraces and defends our nation of “inalienable human rights.”

Onward,

Paul