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 🥴

Expand full comment

Brilliant and horrifying satire, FItz, thanks!

Expand full comment

Wow! Required reading!

Expand full comment

Excellent, David.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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!

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

This needs to be published more broadly.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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?

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
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…

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment