“They were careless people…they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness…and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (April 10, 1925).
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I have pondered this passage since I first read The Great Gatsby in sophomore year of high school. Fifteen-year-old me couldn’t have fathomed where we are today, and that was during Watergate.
Although the parallels are there and obvious, the carelessness with which Fitzgerald's characters sailed through their lives, cannot come close to the calculated targeting of vulnerable American citizens who do not have the means to defend themselves or their livelihoods that is taking place today.
Is the privatized prison system just too costly? So they want to outsource to third world countries? You know, like they did with manufacturing? Because that worked out so well?
I donated to Democracy Docket/Marc Elias’ group of attorneys today; last month I donated to State Democracy Defenders/Norm Eisen’s group of attorneys. They are fearlessly taking on the tRump administration and winning. Please support them if you are able.
If it said "retreated back into their immense ignorance and entitlement" you cover the 77 million people who voted for this regime. This week in particular w/ stock market manipulation and high prices DEEPLY sickens me.
Reminds me of the Twilght Zone episode with Billy Mummy. He possesses the ability to create, destroy, and change anything, forcing everyone around him to live in fear and walk on eggshells. Wielding terrifying, corrupting power for its own sake. For the shear enjoyment of seeing people suffer.
Be one of the people cleaning up the mess. Tell your reps in DC what you think about any issue important to you. Resist. It only takes a few minutes and best of all..it doesn’t cost any money.
We don’t need money in politics. We just need people to participate. https://www.nationalfinancialplan.com
Strange how this same crap was happening 100 years ago. They want to erase history . Why do you think that might be? Rhetorical question.
Those of us who learned from our history would not like our county to repeat those lessons.
Thank you, Marc, Absolutely - push back - hard!
Trump’s rise in 2025 was preventable.
The GOP enabled him. The Supreme Court looked away.
Now democracy is unraveling—fast.
This is authoritarianism, not politics.
History is watching.
Speak up. Act now.
#Democracy #Trump #Resist
America was not great for most Americans during Trump's so called "golden age" we had no labor laws, children worked, and adults were worked to death. Think Triangle Shirt Waist.
Cash Patel out of ATF sound big but it isn't the real issue here. The Secretary of the Army Driscoll is now in charge of a Law Enforcement Agency. This appears like the beginning of a consolidation like the Nazi Sturmabteilungen (SA) in May 2, 1933.
One of the best, truest lines ever written about the rich in a novel. Fitzgerald was a genius at studying people who felt they were entitled - and not much has changed in 100 years.
I'm reading A Shadow Intelligence by Oliver Harris. Published 2019. Our current situation keeps creeping in while reading this. How much my peace has been robbed. Can't even read a fricken novel.
I think they are still out…and will remain so as long as they have Donny Demento telling them what to do and think. America needs to rid herself of Donald and those on high who are supporting his efforts. And then those with brains and ethics have to rebuild this country.
With great lawyers you have discussed lepers and crooks. You've been through all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books, you're very well read, it's well known.
Bob Dylan
Now "King Dumpy Trumpy" is accusing former members of his staff, from his first term, of treason because they dared to speak out against him while serving in his Administration. If that isn't an abuse of power, we need to redefine abuse of power.
And a primer on class inequality in this country, both then and now. Happy birthday, Gatsby:
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
Been the formula since Reagan and all this time people thought it was them trying to make trickle down economics work but it did for them stealing Americans loses with each recession or war they triggered.
Take NO comfort from the 90 days or record Wall Street "dead cat" bounce. Flight to safety is in order because the damage to the psych mechanisms of the markets has been done: Trump has proven he can control the direction if not calibrate the momentum. NOTHING learned about comparative advantage!
Two homilies apply:
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." (Santayana).
"History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes!" (Mark Twain).
Really important framing that Dems should be using right now. Pound it into Americans' heads that Dems will be here to clean this mess up....like we always do. Maybe for once, it will stop Republicans ability to take credit for then destroy the good things they're handed
“Scandal bliss
when you puttin’ villains in charge of shit
All of us targeted
All we doin’ is arguin’
Part of them isn’t workin’
‘Til every pockets been picked and sold and harvested.
I’m ready to mob on these fuckin’ Charlatan.”
- “Yankee and the Brave (ep. 4)” - Run the Jewels
Yes. This. ☝️ We have been broken alongside. And now we must clean up the mess through tears as they point and laugh and call our empathy ludicrous. #standupfightback
Did you hear Mike Johnson this morning? Yes they want to ensure that the American people are not taxed the biggest tax in American history, here is the wording, "all at once."
And they are allowed to be careless people by the people who employ them, who marry them, who marry their children off to them, who they worshiped with, side by side, by choosing to look the other way, making excuses, and accepting/enabling the daily ravaging of the careless, belligerent stupidity.
I've never been much of a fan of TGG, too much fawning adoration between the lines showing Fitzgerald's desire to sit at the grown-ups' table. But he was onto something here that still applies today! https://justweighing.com/
I’m reading Sarah Wynn Williams book but have not read The Great Gatsby. I rented and watched the 2013 movie version but would not recommend it. It’s more a tragic love story than a warning of greed and excess. I’ll need to read the book.
Fight back! Call your reps using @5calls.org. Then write postcards with @fieldteam6.bsky.social to register democrats! Campaigns in AZ, GA, NC, PA. Important gov elections this November! Keep the momentum of WI - PA SC needs our help too!
Do you have a certified copy of your birth certificate at home for voter ID?? Are you a woman who changed her name when she married? The House will vote this week on eliminating the ability to vote for 25% of Americans... primarily women. Tell your Senator to vote No!!
I bet your notes are interesting!
I'm glad it's being taught. I ordered a copy today. I wonder where my high school books went. It's been a long, long time.
It's interesting to me that I have added different notes through the years. I teach so many great pieces, and I know I can still keep going because I still have "Aha" moments when I do.
This was after the Fordney-McCumber Act of 1922 raised the average import tax on foreign goods to about 40%.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, enacted in June 1930, was yet to come.
How much more carelessness is yet to come from the MAGA Messiah & his oligarchs?
Great American novels are often influenced by current events and trends. Unfortunately, too many Americans don’t know history, nor would they know a great American novel if it fell off the bookshelf and hit them on the head, nor do many of them know how to read or comprehend literature. I’m weary.
I read that book when I was in high school. Ever read any Russian Science Fiction from that general time period? I did, but don't remember specific authors and titles. It was very imaginative and influential.
I totally believe that they asked that. Jesus, when did we become a country with a majority ignoramus population. We will continue swirling the toilet bowl if we don't fix it.
Wow! I quoted this about 2 yrs ago on Twitter. Profoundly true from my own contact with the very rich in CA. Taught the novel as a HS teacher, and all 11th graders read "Gatsby". I like the Hemingway comment to Scott, too, if you can find it.
Comments
It's becoming a great day!
And so very true today
Prior to the retreat, obviously.
And all the sick were around and with fevers unbreaking
Crying and bleeding and coughing and shaking
And arms out stretched, prescription collecting
Pressed suits in a courtroom, aroma of chloroform
And they smiled at the judge, disposition so sunny
Cause they didn't have the cure but sure needed the money
Regina Spektor
I think he got about $6M advance on a book afterwards.
Melania got $40M from Amazon for a "if you make me look good" documentary.
Obama tried to warn Trump that things don't end well for strongmen.
I have a friend who, just by happenstance, had converted to cash just before the 2008 debacle.
Bought up distressed properties, and came out smelling like a rose.
It’s gonna take all of US
We don’t need money in politics. We just need people to participate. https://www.nationalfinancialplan.com
They can not Explain
or Defend
or Commit To
or even Reverse what they do.
They're so incompetent, they can't even fail properly!
https://www.loa.org/books/the-annotated-great-gatsby/
#DefendRuleOfLaw
Those of us who learned from our history would not like our county to repeat those lessons.
That’s just unconscious knowledge"
-Perry Farrell, Pigs in Zen
Trump’s rise in 2025 was preventable.
The GOP enabled him. The Supreme Court looked away.
Now democracy is unraveling—fast.
This is authoritarianism, not politics.
History is watching.
Speak up. Act now.
#Democracy #Trump #Resist
They can eliminate bonuses and cut exec salaries to a reasonable income.
It's not socialism. It's taking care of your own business before requiring taxpayers to maintain your extravagant lifestyle.
Alternatively, consult humpty RE bankruptcy options. He knows.
Bob Dylan
And the people bowed down in gratitude & praise.
Meanwhile, Glinda to Dorothy: "You've always had the power, my dear. You've had it all along.”
#WeThePeople
careless
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
"Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." (Santayana).
"History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes!" (Mark Twain).
So many similarities to 100 years ago.
when you puttin’ villains in charge of shit
All of us targeted
All we doin’ is arguin’
Part of them isn’t workin’
‘Til every pockets been picked and sold and harvested.
I’m ready to mob on these fuckin’ Charlatan.”
- “Yankee and the Brave (ep. 4)” - Run the Jewels
REPUBLICANS
REPUBLICANS
REPUBLICANS
WE KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.
REPUBLICANS
LAY THE BLAME AT THEIR FEET AND CALL THEM OUT AND MAKE THEM EXPLAIN. CRAWL UP THEIR ASSES AND MAKE THEM SQUIRM.
https://www.fieldteam6.org
🚀 Fire up your socials w/customizable posts to your electeds:
👉To vote yes/no
✊Tell ‘em why it matters to you
👏Thank them or🔥 urge ‘em to fight!
#PleaseGrowASpine #PGAS #CallYourSenator #CallYourRep https://social.fieldteam6.org/s/m7rvFnt6
Idiocy,carelessness, and incompetence frequently change history in consequential ways, but it’s far easier to break things than to fix them.
https://youtu.be/s2qTErBJG5s?si=bsoHRWk-W7V1IjOY
I forgot that part. It's a short book I should read it again. I don't think I have it here....
Coming soon!
I'm glad it's being taught. I ordered a copy today. I wonder where my high school books went. It's been a long, long time.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, enacted in June 1930, was yet to come.
How much more carelessness is yet to come from the MAGA Messiah & his oligarchs?
https://www.ngrippel.com/ngr-politics.html
https://moneyontheleft.org/2024/08/09/money-modernism-inflation-in-the-great-gatsby/