Good morning. It’s Wednesday, Oct. 16 — barely lower than three weeks till the polls shut on the 2024 presidential election. Right here’s what’s taking place in Opinion.
I noticed Alex Garland’s “Civil War” on Max this weekend. And although it’s a well-done movie, I don’t suggest watching it proper now. The story line of People slaughtering one another due to the place they’re from or their political affiliation strikes somewhat too near dwelling.
After Jan. 6, 2021, I not discover it tough to think about a future through which the USA has disintegrated into warring tribes, and the president has refused to depart workplace after two phrases and has ordered airstrikes on U.S. residents. (Though I nonetheless don’t purchase the California/Texas alliance.)
And issues aren’t wanting higher for this subsequent transition because the precise and rhetorical violence throughout this presidential election is unprecedented, no less than in my lifetime. As a lot as I would like this election to be over, I’m afraid of what comes subsequent.
If Vice President Kamala Harris wins, will Trump voters riot once more? If former President Trump wins, will the violent factor amongst his base really feel empowered to behave out in opposition to their political enemies? A few of them already really feel comfy sufficient to fly their fascist (swastika) flags at his rallies.
You recognize who additionally appears to be anticipating pandemonium? Trump, who instructed Fox Information on Sunday that he’s anxious about election day violence from “radical left lunatics” and that the Nationwide Guard or U.S. army must be deployed in opposition to the “enemy from inside.” Who’re these radicals, precisely? Trump solely talked about one individual — mild-mannered Burbank Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff, who’s working for U.S. Senate. Clearly Trump is already establishing the choice narrative ought to his well-armed superfans act out violently once more, if their candidate loses once more.
Gen. Mark Milley is right: Trump proved himself unfit to be commander in chief. And if he will get a second time period, the previous president is certain to “deploy the army as a political prop in service of his personal model, as he already tried to do. And he would reshape the army and the nationwide safety equipment in order that Trumpists would rise and others wouldn’t, “ writes U.S. Military veteran ML Cavanaugh.
The GOP assault on election integrity has already begun. Republicans are submitting lawsuits and challenges to native election guidelines, concentrating on mail-in ballots, drop containers and most each measure to make it simpler for folks to vote. “Since 2020, pink states have enacted voting restrictions underneath the guise of ‘election integrity,’ although fraud is all however nonexistent,” writes columnist Jackie Calmes.
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If you’re rethinking going to college, think again. Training journalist Jay Mathews worries that the pattern towards school options “might push highschool too far in a brand new path — awarding diplomas for off-campus apprenticeships, for spending too little time on homework and an excessive amount of on gaining work and resume expertise, or for minimal vocational ed — risking college students’ basis in literature, historical past, writing, math and languages.”
The complete list of The Times’ electoral endorsements. The editorial board has completed making suggestions for the Nov. 5 election, together with state, metropolis and county propositions, the L.A. County judicial races and Los Angeles Neighborhood School District Board. The board additionally made endorsements in L.A. Metropolis Council, L.A. Unified faculty board and chosen congressional and state legislative races.
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