Things To Keep In Mind As The New Year Approaches - 4 of 20

 

4. When listening to politicians, distinguish certain words. 

Look out for the expansive use of "terrorism" and "extremism." 

Be alive to the fatal notions of "exception" and "emergency." 

Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary. 



Yale historian and Holocaust expert Timothy Snyder wrote: "Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience. Now is a good time to do so." 
Snyder's a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (which includes former Secretaries of State), and consults on political situations around the globe. He says: 

Above, #4 of twenty lessons from the twentieth century, adapted to the circumstances of today.