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I do not read everything posted here. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I have read a few diaries about the terrorism in France. Indeed I wrote a diary about Charb for KTK on Friday, because of my admiration of his fine quotation prior to his assassination. I read with respect news reports of people saying they were Charlie. And I’ve taken note of diaries here from people with a variety of viewpoints on the issue of ‘being Charlie.’
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When I went to school in Germany in the late 1970’s, (at the very leftist university I attended) everything seemed to revolve around the concept of solidarity, of standing with one’s political and emotional allies.
It reminds me of the description I have heard of the contrast between Republican and Democratic politics. Republicans tend to represent that ‘you’re on your own,’ where Democrats seem to have a greater appreciation of the idea that ‘we’re all in this together.’
For me the terrorist attacks are like that. We’ve experienced terrorist attacks here, as have most regions of our world. I can identify with what that is like. I can get a feeling about what it is like there, what they are experiencing, how they are trying to cope. We have experienced attacks on free speech. If there is a greater attack on free speech in our society than the efforts we see at voter suppression, I don’t know what it is. What is more fundamental speech than exercising one’s right to vote?! So I can identify with that experience, too.
And I think of one of the greatest international speeches an American president has ever made, when the Berlin Wall was built, isolating the ‘Western sector’ from the Eastern sector and the surrounding countryside. Kennedy’s ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ speech is remembered to this day with considerable passion by many Germans who were alive then. I think that is because it was one of the clearest speeches of solidarity with an ally that any American president has ever given, in large part because of Kennedy’s clear identification with the citizens of Berlin.
It wasn’t wrong, it wasn’t weak, and in many ways it was a building block for the things that happened later, including the fall of the wall and the reunification of Germany.
Einfühlungsvermögen is one of my favorite German words. A compound word (ie. built from two or more component words), Einfühlungsvermögen is often translated as 'empathy,' but I don't think that scratches the surface. I think of it more literally, as a capacity to feel one's way inside the circumstances of another, emotionally, perhaps, most of all. I think of it as one of the keys to identification and understanding, with all our allies and friends.
And isn’t identification one of the pillars of Democratic politics and relating? Letting others know they do not stand alone? That we’re all in this together?
Thank you for reading tonight! And thanks to brillig for the brilliant format collaboration!
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not publish self-nominations (ie your own comments) and if I ruled the world, we'd all build community, supporting and uplifting instead of tearing our fellow Kossacks down.
From JG in MD:
Gooserock makes it crystal clear why so many people believe lies and won't be convinced of the truth. (But we have to keep trying.)
From Village Vet:
slksfca commenting on striking down South Dakota's marriage ban followed immediately by a stay of the courts decision.
A solitary comment flag:
Flagged by Lefty Coaster, this comment by NBBooks (in a contentious thread) is sobering, but also very detailed and thought-provoking in its analysis of the early days of the Obama Administration, with thoughts on big missed opportunities.
Top Mojo for yesterday, January 11th, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary FAQing Top Mojo.
1) Because it matters by ProgNet — 334
2) Your comment is not constructive by ProgNet — 131
3) Torturers got off scot free while Siegelman by RFK Lives — 112
4) Transcript by Catte Nappe — 98
5) How to Be a Walking 'Confirmation Bias' by Denise Oliver Velez — 94
6) Follow up from a francophile by kat68 — 86
7) Remember the New Yorker "fist bump" cover? by Phoenix Woman — 85
8) Thank YOU for this diary! T&R'd. n/t by Prognosticator — 82
9) There is so much by twigg — 74
10) They could cut science and math by kpelligra — 72
11) The triumph of Karl Rove by psnyder — 67
12) Merci de tout coeur! by Radiowalla — 67
13) Loud and proud! by James Wells — 65
14) sekritarmy makes use of enemy accoutrements by kerflooey — 65
15) I almost asked this question, but you answered by CanyonWren — 64
16) Kansas leads the race to the Bottom by Lefty Coaster — 61
17) Pirate dog repels boarders by muddy boots — 60
18) Tipped and rec'd. It is embarrassing. by Whamadoodle — 58
19) His objective by phillies — 57
20) Je suis Charlie . by Blue Wind — 57
21) Thank you for this perspective. by blue jersey mom — 56
22) Cars represent denial in a fundamental way. by Marihilda — 56
23) OMG what a horrible story. by gramofsam1 — 55
24) Yep: by Calvino Partigiani — 55
25) You are welcome by ProgNet — 54
26) I can't believe Obama doesn't just pardon him. by dkmich — 54
27) Powerful indeed by ProgNet — 54
28) I did not feel like taking this on after the last by LaFeminista — 53
29) in central by PJEvans — 50
30) With commercial vehicles, by Dale — 50
31) Well, that's a tear jerker. by weezilgirl — 50
Top Pictures for yesterday, January 11th. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment and/or larger picture. Thank you
jotter for the image magic!