The phases of collapse can inform us what’s subsequent
Dallas: The anatomy of political failure all through world historical past (revolution), in any other case often known as the rise and fall of empires — is it related to the united statesA. in 2026?
Sure apparent warning indicators all the time current themselves earlier than a political revolution takes place, and are unerringly current all through the historical past of the world. Initially, the onset is normally marked by staff or unemployed, dissatisfied, placing and/or disaffected rioters within the streets. This inevitably results in clashes with the police/authorities companies or civil companies, with destruction of police/authorities/company property just like the storming of the Bastille through the French Revolution. Mixed with the inevitable casualties/deaths, meals provide shortages, a disastrous financial scenario and current disapproval of the reigning monarch, president or dictator, this is called the “boiling level.”
The reigning monarch, president or dictator then unleashes the nationwide military/armed forces upon the populace/rioters in an try and quell the unrest. As a final act of desperation, the monarch, president or dictator discharges the federal government (if one exists) and runs the chance of the nationwide military/armed forces becoming a member of the rioters. With the disposing, abdication or exile of the reigning monarch, president or dictator, there’s then no chief, ruler or current authorities to stop the onset of marked inner dysfunction.
The scene is then set for a brand new revolutionary chief or leaders to grab the vacated authorities places of work and concrete facilities and/or arrange a brand new political asset (revolt). Revolutionary leaders aren’t born. They “seize the day” of vacuous alternative precipitating a winner-takes-all state of affairs (civil conflict). And the beat goes on. Leo Crowley
Faceless fascists
Bronx: Not even the Gestapo wore masks like these ICE punks. Like Pogo stated, now we have met the enemy and he’s us. Edwin Garcia
Militarized enforcement
Sunnyside: To Voicer Tom Ascher: Let me clarify the distinction between Barack Obama’s and President Trump’s deportations. Obama simply went about his job and didn’t ship untrained, uneducated wannabe stormtroopers into cities to intimidate folks with great reveals of power. They really appear like invading fight troops coming down the block. Bullies all the time wish to be the larger bully. Daniel Mckevitt
Agreed
Malverne, L.I.: To Voicer Tony Giametta: You, my good friend, are 1,000% appropriate that native officers in Minnesota ought to have tried to decrease tensions and cooperate with federal efforts. Nonetheless, understand that mainstream media won’t ever let information get in the way in which of their agenda or story! Dave Kalin
Music silence
Brooklyn: Re “Bruce Springsteen releases ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ protest music” (Jan. 28): Did Springsteen write a music concerning the rape and homicide of Laken Riley by an unlawful immigrant, or the numerous different girls raped and murdered by unlawful immigrants? Did he write a music concerning the four-year invasion of our nation by unlawful immigrants? Did he write a music about the price to America and American taxpayers for warehousing unlawful immigrants who couldn’t help themselves? A music concerning the invasion of a church by protestors as they infringed the First Modification rights of its worshippers? A music about that poor ICE officer who was practically killed as Renee Good struck him together with her car? Bruce claims to be a person of the folks, however what he truly is is a limousine liberal trapped in his ivory tower, throwing a blind eye to the hardships that on a regular basis Individuals are going through. David DiBello
Show it
Lakewood, N.J.: To Voicer John Honas: You nailed it. Individuals (at the least the sane ones) are bored with the orange buffoon. The blue wave has already begun in native elections. Donny the Liar endorsed a number of GOP candidates. As soon as they misplaced, he claimed he didn’t know something about them. The beat goes on. It’s time to begin calling him out. I want the reporters who interview him would state simply two phrases when one other lie comes out of his vile mouth: “Show it.” Show that you just stopped eight wars. If the Epstein recordsdata are a Democratic hoax, show that you just weren’t a part of them. Show that you just’ve lowered meals costs. Show that votes have been stolen from you within the 2020 election. Show that you’ve got an precise plan to decrease well being care prices. Show that you just don’t have dementia. Should you can’t, please go away. Your credibility is under ambergris. Frank Mongiello
There for the taking
Itasca, Sick.: Col. George Taylor, an astronaut performed by Charlton Heston within the authentic 1968 “Planet of the Apes” film, is musing over primitive, slow-witted people toiling in a area. He turns to a fellow astronaut and proclaims, “If that is the very best they’ve obtained round right here, in six months we’ll be working this planet.” After 2025, I ponder if China is saying the identical about America. Jim Newton
Hope for Hicks
Manhattan: One of the best information of 2026 is that Cardinal Timothy Dolan is retiring (“The cardinal lauds New York,” op-ed, Feb. 1). Except you have been an individual of wealth and/or energy (like a politician, movie star, journalist, and many others.) or have been somebody concerned in a newsworthy scenario that might get him some optimistic media publicity, you didn’t exist! Whereas his jolly persona received him many buddies on the prime of the pyramid, his flock of atypical Catholics noticed solely his different aspect. To them, he might be remembered as a chilly, heartless businessman and a shamefully unkind man of the fabric who centered method an excessive amount of on socializing, touring and furthering his personal agenda. Hopefully, Archbishop Ronald Hicks, by adopting a extra pastoral fashion, will be capable of regain the respect and admiration the place so rightfully deserves. Good riddance to Dolan, and a hearty heat welcome to Hicks. Susie Coleman
Strike a deal
Recent Meadows: New York is watching as the most important nurses strike within the historical past of our metropolis drags by means of its fourth week. Since Jan. 12, roughly 15,000 New York State Nurses Affiliation nurses walked off the job at main hospitals like NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai and Montefiore. This isn’t some union publicity stunt. It’s frontline staff demanding the minimal situations wanted to ship protected care: protected staffing requirements which are enforced, protections towards office violence, and advantages that aren’t gutted. NYSNA can also be combating for nurses to get higher pay. These aren’t luxuries, they’re fundamental guardrails for affected person security and nurse retention. Gov. Hochul implored the hospitals to work out a deal, saying on Jan. 9 {that a} strike “may jeopardize the lives of hundreds of New Yorkers and sufferers.” The prescription is straightforward: give the nurses what they need. John Bulik
Chilly-hearted
Scarborough, N.Y.: Mayor Mamdoomi’s “go away ’em on the streets” homeless coverage is only a trace of the harm this clueless fool will inflict on NYC over the subsequent 4 years. Simply wait till he gleefully begins chopping police, firefighters and correction officers. Thomas F. Comiskey
Wonderful courtship
Bronx: A two-hour drive with my daughter to Hartford, Conn., was rewarded with an opportunity to look at Azzi Fudd lead the undefeated UConn Huskies to victory over Tennessee. She’s a whole participant — a ground normal who excels on either side of the ball. Followers noticed her rating 27 factors, help on seven baskets and take down seven rebounds. Fudd additionally had two steals and compelled her opponents into turnovers your entire sport. She’s executed this with easy consistency all season, letting the standard of her sport converse for itself. Basketball brilliance turned this frigid afternoon right into a scorching Fudd Sunday. Fred Smith
