I needed this today. Running for school board and in a very red city with no backing from a political party. It’s tough but I’m fighting for my kids future
Perfectly said. We need to back up the "soft" side of the resistance (non-compliance) with its counterpart: economic action through disengagement. People need to opt-out, in as many ways as possible. This will be more powerful than any other act.
You zero in on the fear and the management they want to create - I say they because while Trump is central to this he is the addled figurehead and he is surrounded by those, like Vance, who are itching to take control and go still further. You discuss the fear and it reminded me of words from the biography of Gleb Upensky a Russian populist during the last years of the Czar:
"One could not move, one could not even dream; it was dangerous to give any sign of thought - of the fact that you were not afraid; on the contrary, you were required to show that you were scared, trembling, even when there was no real ground for it- that is what those years have created in the Russian masses. Perpetual fear...was then in the air, and crushed the public consciousness and robbed it of all desire or capacity for thought... There was not a single point of light on the horizon-"you are lost" cried heaven and earth, air and water, man and beast-and everything shuddered and fled from disaster into the first available rabbit hole."
What Upensky recorded was the fear that the Czar's autocracy instilled by design. That fear not only put off loss, or change, for the Czar, it burned its way into the hearts of ordinary Russians so that when the revolution came, dictatorial and uncompromising as it was, the fear remained, and a new generation of red autocrats learned to use it. Those who say we must be strategic because Trump will pass are simply instilling the fear in their own hearts which will make it that much easier for Vance to control them.
That’s beautifully said and devastatingly true. You capture exactly what I was reaching for: that fear becomes its own machinery, surviving the men who build it. The quote from Upensky is chilling in its familiarity,that same demand to perform fear even when there’s no ground for it. That’s how control seeps into the soul of a nation. Trump may fade, but what he’s licensed,the normalization of managed fear is what lingers. The real resistance is refusing to flinch, refusing to let fear become habit. I’m grateful you brought Upensky into this,the echo across centuries says everything.
I'm glad you appreciated it but I'm more grateful to you for your writing. You put into words the thought of unmanageability that had been bothering me. I've been told enough lately to take care how I discuss things within my own neighborhood and even within my own family. So much so that the control is already coming home.
Being unmanageable is exactly the way. So too is writing because we can. I feel like my writing these days is as much to remind myself as it is for others. I for one appreciate yours.
I, learned from my father, not to accept anything they wanted to give.
Dad had been in a horrific accident where he chose to go off a bridge, rather than hit a guy passing another car. He had his whole family in that car. He was hurt so severely they said that he wouldn’t live. Yet, he did. He walked with a limp and had trouble getting a decent job. We went without. Mom was a wizard creating meals from whatever she could get. I was so young, I didn’t understand the whole of it, but as I grew older, I did. And, what we’re dealing with now can only be answered with resistance. Go ahead take. It only makes us stronger. The only one that I submit to is Almighty God, Our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who doesn’t lie & is always there for His children. I didn’t say all. I said, His. There’s a difference.
Restack for Tom Joad. Please. I’ll do the praying 🙏.
Powerful story. Your father’s choice to spare another life at the cost of his own comfort is the essence of resistance: refusing to be managed by fear or self-interest. That kind of strength builds generations. You pray, I’ll write. Together, we’ll keep the light alive.
That’s what we do best. We STAND STRONG. we do not comply. We do not give in. If we all stand together, they will FALL. Yes, I said, fall, because you can’t have a country without its people. The entire lot of them should go. Are there good ones among them? Yes, there’s always good and bad alike in all people. We as a People we must stand as one. We can differ in opinion, but must be United as one. I believe in our people. They are a great union of mixed races all wanting the same thing. We can do this. We will do this. We’ve already been through hell, what’s one more 🔥?
From a Catholic perspective, we never have a moral option to be complicit with evil. We have no choice but to resist, always and everywhere. Choosing otherwise is to lose our immortal souls. Such is the path of the saints and martyrs. Thank you for your witness.
Keep speaking the truth, Tom. It’s hard to do it, especially when you suspect that resistance will not stop what you see coming.
The importance of community can’t be understated, but we’re in this on our own, making this record of who we are and what we know because we must to truly be alive.
I like the name BlueSky because it’s filled with people looking for hope, as if the name requires you to have it. But the general hope seems to be to return to where we were, deluded consumers unaware of the plutocracy growing behind the scenes and destroying our only home, the earth’s systems that sustain human life.
The world is already on fire, and pretending it isn’t does nothing merciful.
Even that knowledge can’t make me surrender my freedom. Even the constant pressure to be “hopeful” will not make me manageable.
I must refuse fear to be alive and present in my life. I am recording what I see because I’m free.
So powerful and timely. All the words used to soften actions has been driving me crazy. Call it what it is - fascism, lies, etc. Thank you so much for giving voice to what I've been feeling.
Thank you for another fearless, heartfelt, uncompromising growl from the soul. It brings to mind the need to have skin in the game. The No Kings protests were extraordinary in their joyfulness and sent a powerful message regarding what it means to be human, but to hurt the system they need to happen during the working week, repeatedly, fearlessly. Their whole project is about money and power and control. It is time to hit them where it hurts them: economic boycotts, general strikes, coordinated refusals to let comfort and convenience sedate us into manageability. Again thank you for your powerful words and for reminding us that we always have a choice.
Thank you. Yes,absolutely. Joyful protests like No Kings matter, but to truly hit the system where it hurts, we need repeated, fearless action during the workweek. Economic boycotts, general strikes, coordinated refusals to let convenience sedate us into manageability,these are the veins where power flows. Writing and speaking are vital, but action is what transforms courage into change. Every day, we have a choice: to be complicit or to resist. The cost of not choosing is the slow bleed into compliance. Let’s keep choosing.
Had to let this one sit for a while. Then come back to it. One has to ask one's self, what am I afraid of? Then answer that question honestly. The only thing that has to be managed is that fear. Then I feel unmanageable. Thanks for this insight.
We thought the Constitution and the Bill of Rights would protect all the people, not just citizens. We expected freedom of speech, assembly, press, no government in religion, voting rights, freedom from search and seizure, the right to habeas corpus, making government show evidence of a crime to arrest, protection from excessive force or cruel punishment. Every day people shout at ICE goons, “I can hold this banner, we are peaceful protesters!” Then ICE attacks, hurls heads into concrete, puts them in jail, just in skin color because Kavanaugh said, that’s fine. Tyranny, fascism and state violence as millions of Americans applaud! Why? Like Trump, it’s because they hate “those people” those unlike them, those who are poor, vulnerable, foreign or racial minorities. They’re supposedly ripping us off, taking from “real Americans” as Sarah Palin said. Trump is the spawn of the Tea Party, corporate financed to serve as a bulwark against those who would tax the rich, improve schools, ensure healthcare for all, clean the environment, build and sustain affordable housing, prepare now for a post fossil fuel future and guarantee livable retirement income. They hate and fear that future. They restrict democratic participation. They will always support and maintain a fascist regime if that’s what it takes. People are standing up fearlessly and powerfully, knowing we can no longer rely on the press, the universities, lawyers, the courts, or elected officials. They have too much to lose. They are fearful. The reckoning nevertheless is coming. Not everyone is paralyzed with fear.
Thank you Tom Joad, I hadn't thought for sure being unmanageable was a blessing until I read this. Fearless and uncompromising in word and deed is being unmanageable.
This essay nails it for me! I have NEVER been manageable! Yet I really appreciate what you say about being smart, not becoming a target, but instead to raise a mirror to their hate and corruption, and be relentless and indefatigable every day. I appreciate being able to comment as well. Will be restacking and sharing!
I needed this today. Running for school board and in a very red city with no backing from a political party. It’s tough but I’m fighting for my kids future
You can do this and win 🏆
Perfectly said. We need to back up the "soft" side of the resistance (non-compliance) with its counterpart: economic action through disengagement. People need to opt-out, in as many ways as possible. This will be more powerful than any other act.
Yes!!
Yes we can!
There is the answer.
That is your appeal.
Holding on humanity and rebellion.
That programming tries to wring out of us.
Never surrender.
Powerful words, and absolutely true.
You zero in on the fear and the management they want to create - I say they because while Trump is central to this he is the addled figurehead and he is surrounded by those, like Vance, who are itching to take control and go still further. You discuss the fear and it reminded me of words from the biography of Gleb Upensky a Russian populist during the last years of the Czar:
"One could not move, one could not even dream; it was dangerous to give any sign of thought - of the fact that you were not afraid; on the contrary, you were required to show that you were scared, trembling, even when there was no real ground for it- that is what those years have created in the Russian masses. Perpetual fear...was then in the air, and crushed the public consciousness and robbed it of all desire or capacity for thought... There was not a single point of light on the horizon-"you are lost" cried heaven and earth, air and water, man and beast-and everything shuddered and fled from disaster into the first available rabbit hole."
What Upensky recorded was the fear that the Czar's autocracy instilled by design. That fear not only put off loss, or change, for the Czar, it burned its way into the hearts of ordinary Russians so that when the revolution came, dictatorial and uncompromising as it was, the fear remained, and a new generation of red autocrats learned to use it. Those who say we must be strategic because Trump will pass are simply instilling the fear in their own hearts which will make it that much easier for Vance to control them.
I too am unmanageable.
That’s beautifully said and devastatingly true. You capture exactly what I was reaching for: that fear becomes its own machinery, surviving the men who build it. The quote from Upensky is chilling in its familiarity,that same demand to perform fear even when there’s no ground for it. That’s how control seeps into the soul of a nation. Trump may fade, but what he’s licensed,the normalization of managed fear is what lingers. The real resistance is refusing to flinch, refusing to let fear become habit. I’m grateful you brought Upensky into this,the echo across centuries says everything.
I'm glad you appreciated it but I'm more grateful to you for your writing. You put into words the thought of unmanageability that had been bothering me. I've been told enough lately to take care how I discuss things within my own neighborhood and even within my own family. So much so that the control is already coming home.
Being unmanageable is exactly the way. So too is writing because we can. I feel like my writing these days is as much to remind myself as it is for others. I for one appreciate yours.
I Am Not Afraid Therefore I Am Not Manageable.
This was an honor to read. Thank you, Tom.
Thank you for reading Leslie!!
I cannot be managed.
I, learned from my father, not to accept anything they wanted to give.
Dad had been in a horrific accident where he chose to go off a bridge, rather than hit a guy passing another car. He had his whole family in that car. He was hurt so severely they said that he wouldn’t live. Yet, he did. He walked with a limp and had trouble getting a decent job. We went without. Mom was a wizard creating meals from whatever she could get. I was so young, I didn’t understand the whole of it, but as I grew older, I did. And, what we’re dealing with now can only be answered with resistance. Go ahead take. It only makes us stronger. The only one that I submit to is Almighty God, Our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who doesn’t lie & is always there for His children. I didn’t say all. I said, His. There’s a difference.
Restack for Tom Joad. Please. I’ll do the praying 🙏.
Powerful story. Your father’s choice to spare another life at the cost of his own comfort is the essence of resistance: refusing to be managed by fear or self-interest. That kind of strength builds generations. You pray, I’ll write. Together, we’ll keep the light alive.
That’s what we do best. We STAND STRONG. we do not comply. We do not give in. If we all stand together, they will FALL. Yes, I said, fall, because you can’t have a country without its people. The entire lot of them should go. Are there good ones among them? Yes, there’s always good and bad alike in all people. We as a People we must stand as one. We can differ in opinion, but must be United as one. I believe in our people. They are a great union of mixed races all wanting the same thing. We can do this. We will do this. We’ve already been through hell, what’s one more 🔥?
From a Catholic perspective, we never have a moral option to be complicit with evil. We have no choice but to resist, always and everywhere. Choosing otherwise is to lose our immortal souls. Such is the path of the saints and martyrs. Thank you for your witness.
Let's be sure to support Papa Leo. He's got some great ideas!
Keep speaking the truth, Tom. It’s hard to do it, especially when you suspect that resistance will not stop what you see coming.
The importance of community can’t be understated, but we’re in this on our own, making this record of who we are and what we know because we must to truly be alive.
I like the name BlueSky because it’s filled with people looking for hope, as if the name requires you to have it. But the general hope seems to be to return to where we were, deluded consumers unaware of the plutocracy growing behind the scenes and destroying our only home, the earth’s systems that sustain human life.
The world is already on fire, and pretending it isn’t does nothing merciful.
Even that knowledge can’t make me surrender my freedom. Even the constant pressure to be “hopeful” will not make me manageable.
I must refuse fear to be alive and present in my life. I am recording what I see because I’m free.
Thank you. Staying awake is the only hope that means anything now. The rest is comfort sold cheap.
Hope that looks away isn’t hope ,it’s sedation. What matters is the refusal to be managed, to speak even when it changes nothing.
We write because we’re still free. Because silence is how they win.
So powerful and timely. All the words used to soften actions has been driving me crazy. Call it what it is - fascism, lies, etc. Thank you so much for giving voice to what I've been feeling.
Thank you for another fearless, heartfelt, uncompromising growl from the soul. It brings to mind the need to have skin in the game. The No Kings protests were extraordinary in their joyfulness and sent a powerful message regarding what it means to be human, but to hurt the system they need to happen during the working week, repeatedly, fearlessly. Their whole project is about money and power and control. It is time to hit them where it hurts them: economic boycotts, general strikes, coordinated refusals to let comfort and convenience sedate us into manageability. Again thank you for your powerful words and for reminding us that we always have a choice.
Thank you. Yes,absolutely. Joyful protests like No Kings matter, but to truly hit the system where it hurts, we need repeated, fearless action during the workweek. Economic boycotts, general strikes, coordinated refusals to let convenience sedate us into manageability,these are the veins where power flows. Writing and speaking are vital, but action is what transforms courage into change. Every day, we have a choice: to be complicit or to resist. The cost of not choosing is the slow bleed into compliance. Let’s keep choosing.
Had to let this one sit for a while. Then come back to it. One has to ask one's self, what am I afraid of? Then answer that question honestly. The only thing that has to be managed is that fear. Then I feel unmanageable. Thanks for this insight.
This is so important Tom! I find my own voice is more powerful and you have given me the encouragement to keep going! To keep speaking the truth!
I am not afraid and I am definitely not manageable!
Thanks for your support.
I appreciate your words Tom. Thank you.
Thank you for your support!!
We thought the Constitution and the Bill of Rights would protect all the people, not just citizens. We expected freedom of speech, assembly, press, no government in religion, voting rights, freedom from search and seizure, the right to habeas corpus, making government show evidence of a crime to arrest, protection from excessive force or cruel punishment. Every day people shout at ICE goons, “I can hold this banner, we are peaceful protesters!” Then ICE attacks, hurls heads into concrete, puts them in jail, just in skin color because Kavanaugh said, that’s fine. Tyranny, fascism and state violence as millions of Americans applaud! Why? Like Trump, it’s because they hate “those people” those unlike them, those who are poor, vulnerable, foreign or racial minorities. They’re supposedly ripping us off, taking from “real Americans” as Sarah Palin said. Trump is the spawn of the Tea Party, corporate financed to serve as a bulwark against those who would tax the rich, improve schools, ensure healthcare for all, clean the environment, build and sustain affordable housing, prepare now for a post fossil fuel future and guarantee livable retirement income. They hate and fear that future. They restrict democratic participation. They will always support and maintain a fascist regime if that’s what it takes. People are standing up fearlessly and powerfully, knowing we can no longer rely on the press, the universities, lawyers, the courts, or elected officials. They have too much to lose. They are fearful. The reckoning nevertheless is coming. Not everyone is paralyzed with fear.
Thank you Tom Joad, I hadn't thought for sure being unmanageable was a blessing until I read this. Fearless and uncompromising in word and deed is being unmanageable.
Thank you for reading!!
This essay nails it for me! I have NEVER been manageable! Yet I really appreciate what you say about being smart, not becoming a target, but instead to raise a mirror to their hate and corruption, and be relentless and indefatigable every day. I appreciate being able to comment as well. Will be restacking and sharing!