I was reading Christopher Robert Browning's Ordinary Men recently.
It's a sobering thought that ordinary men can be made to behave so badly. That the inclinations to morality, empathy, compassion and decency are so feeble that they can so easily be overcome. That aggression and hatred are so easily stirred, to become dominant in so many, with so little resistance, comment or criticism.
What is happening in the United States now is not yet as evil, but it is already far from the civil, decent, compassionate and caring society that made so many in the world envy and long for it. The rule of law and due process seem on the wane, leaving only brute force. Ordinary men, turned brutal and violent and uncaring.
There is some criticism, but not nearly enough to stop it. Barely enough even to slow it. Which makes one wonder how far will it go this time, before there is some real resistance? How many will die? How many will suffer.
There is a long history of violence and destruction. It is far easier to destroy and terrorize than to make a great, civil society. There are very few left who experienced the evil of WWII and they are now too old and feeble to have much influence. To resist the inclination to violence and evil. And history shows us that without such resistance, violence is almost inevitable. The inclination to it is too much a part of human nature.
Civilization requires active support and defense, else it will crumble and decay and be overcome, yet again. The time is now.
Even ordinary men.