As for me, I am a so-called psychiatrist who witnessed society deposit its “patients” inside of a prison, transporting me back in time to the era of the alienist. Thus, the knot of causes in which I am entangled” has recurred and created me again. I am the recurrence from the past, sending a message into the future. I am an alienist reincarnated, and poetry keeps me sane.
The Compact
Society: “Remove these men from our fold.”
Prison: How much misery do you require?
Society: “Enough that they writhe in guilty anguish, yet do not seek a final exit.”
Prison: A most delicate balance! Do you think it wise to cultivate such despair?
Society: “We cannot lose our bearings. Our obligation is to the law-abiding. This is the way that we will all progress.”
Prison: How will we show our progress without exposing the blight of the miserable?
Society:” We must count on you for cosmetic aid. Conceal all blemishes as best you can.”
Prison: Leviticus is damned! And if an unsightly flaw emerges despite our efforts?
Society: “We cannot lose our bearings. Our obligation is to the law-abiding. This is the way that we will all progress.”
Prison: How will we show our progress without exposing the blight of the miserable?
Society: “We must count on you for cosmetic aid. Conceal all blemishes as best you can.”
Prison: Leviticus be damned! And if an unsightly flaw emerges despite our efforts?
Society: “We must renounce our pact with you and express our disapproval.”
Prison: A pariah in oblivion. How will we endure our exile?
Society: “With the knowledge that wretchedness has its place in the status quo.”
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
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In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
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