21 Comments

Yes, brilliant and scary! Great work. Currently reading Rachel Maddow’s book Prequel. Good reminder of history and what can happen. Thanks for all your hard work putting this story of yours together. It can’t happen here .. say it isn’t so 🥴

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Hello, Beth ... Rachel Maddow is my hero journalist. Her research is merciless, her presentations creative, and her words always weave a lesson that hits home. David cobbled together something of similar ilk with his epic tale for today Sad, however, that too many "seriously senior" citizens (my own classmates of old), did not study history or learn much from their own past ... the one they actually "lived" in the late 1930s through 1940s! Even worse, it's apparent that much of this pertinent history is not even taught in schools today. CIVICS? No lie ... I've met a few kids who think it's the latest fad sneaker drop! "Self-Governing Republic?" They don't even know that's where they live, let alone understand their 'job' as adults in such a place.. As for me: I'm hoping to live long enough to vote in our next election. My problem is that I have little to no faith in my fellow man OR woman. Thus, prayers to "Whatever Gods May Be" (see the poem, INVICTUS) to protect all of us.

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Brilliant and horrifying satire, FItz, thanks!

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Wow! Required reading!

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Excellent, David.

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Brilliant, Fitz. Those who refuse to read history are doomed to repeat it, indeed. Many do not realize that a good chunk of those RAF pilots in Spitfires during the Battle of Britain were AMERICANS such as Lance Wade of Texas: https://www.historynet.com/lance-wade-world-war-ii-raf-ace-fighter-pilot/

We CAN defeat this evil. I highly suggest subscribing to Chop Wood, Carry Water for daily ideas on what one can do to pressure Congress, write postcards, whatever you feel comfortable doing to battle this MAGA malignancy prior and up to Election Day:

https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=5mwrm

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Fascinating re-structure of history, using many elements I'm old enough to remember ... going back to when I was a child growing up in NJ. Dark curtains, war bonds, air raid drills, civilian plane spotters (my neighbor's Dad was one), food stamps, rationing, oleo, and all that jazz. Now, the handwriting is "on the wall" and we are in grave danger if we don't read it.

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Expertly crafted and chilling. This article uses satire to highlight the conditions in the U.S. today interwoven with past history to affirm our fears are not hyperbolic. The mash-up is evidentiary. Thank you!

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Brrrrr… What an insightful and truly terrifying parallel to history, which unfortunately does seem to repeat itself. Too bad those on the far right don’t (or can’t) read or understand history. In the upcoming election there’s truly a great deal at stake here at home, and around the world… Well told sir.

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This needs to be published more broadly.

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You are killing me, I mean killing it but i mean stop! Too Scary so frigging real!! now write the alternative. Challenge! Xoxoxo

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Strongly suggest reading “Prequel” by Rachel Maddow! I would otherwise not have been able to string together some of the whackadoodles in this great piece. Sadly, this period of American history was not well presented to me in high school. THANKS FITZ

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Good thing you wrote this now. In 2025, if there are sufficient dim-witted Americans this November, you wouldn’t be able to without serious repercussions.

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Terrifying and way too close for comfort. I actually called the Speaker's Office on Wednesday, waited on hold, and then told the person who finally answered that I wanted the border security and funding for Ukraine passed. He practically hung up on me. What can we do, beyond voting in November, to remove these incompetents from control?

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A masterpiece of satire with a "Progressive Voice" of creditable alarm. Thank you, Mr. Fitzsimmons, for delivering history with an altruistic anguish that one reads with a smile and a heavy heart, really a great read.

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Feb 11·edited Feb 11

Like Beth, Currently reading “Prequel” by R. Maddow, about the rise of fascism and authoritarianism in USA prior to WWII. Putin is a piker compared to the influence peddling and downright bribery carried out by the German Nazis in USA. It’s a chilling and enlightening read. And like the Tulsa Massacre and Osage County Murders, untaught in our schools…

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founding

Great analogy! Reminds me of Philip Roth’s the plot against America, and it’s version streamed on HBO.

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