'It's happening much faster'

Tuesday, December 09, 2025

The Guardian interviewed activists from other countries that are fighting authoritarian takeovers. An activist in Hungary said she sees America's democracy falling fast. "It's happening much faster, and it's surprising for me that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the perceived or expressed will of President Trump," [Stefania Kapronczay, former head of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union] said. "I didn't expect so many people would be so risk-averse."

Posted by retort at 12:41 PM | 30 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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our authoritarian leadership really is following the playbook seen in countries like Hungary
time to wake up, folks[image or embed]
-- Karl Bode (@karlbode.com) Dec 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM

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"AI Overview
Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian political ideology emphasizing extreme nationalism, a strong central government led by a dictator, militarism, and the suppression of opposition, often promoting a national rebirth through a unified "people's community" with individual interests subordinate to the state.

Key characteristics include fervent nationalism (sometimes racist), cult of the leader, state control over economy/society, anti-liberal/democratic stance, and glorification of violence and war, historically seen in Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany.

Core Characteristics:"

www.google.com

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-09 12:07 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

"I didn't expect so many people would be so risk-averse."

I didn't expect that so many Americans would prove to be cowards, either.

Neither did the Founding Fathers, I suspect.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-12-09 12:40 PM | Reply

Congratulations, Republicans.
You Built That!

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-09 12:40 PM | Reply

"Stefania Kapronczay, former head of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union] said." And to the Guardian no less. LOL

#4 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-12-09 01:02 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

It's been heading this direction since at least the W Bush election.

#5 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2025-12-09 01:05 PM | Reply

Core Characteristics:"
www.google.com

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-09 12:07 PM | Reply | Flag:

"suppression of the opposition."
Cork, you may want to leave that one out after your party tried to bankrupt, jail, silence and then assassinate their main opposition.

#6 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-12-09 01:09 PM | Reply | Funny: 2

"it's surprising for me that so many private companies and institutions just complied with the perceived or expressed will of President Trump,"

What would be good examples of that?

I'm not disagreeing with that statement...just trying to qualify the intent. Private companies and institutions always attempt to work with the current administration on any number of issues the administration impacts. Regulatory, tax, environmental, etc.......

#7 | Posted by eberly at 2025-12-09 01:14 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

that's funny things are moving just as I thought they would, in fact a little slower than I expected, a combination of some inherent resistance to authoritarianism, laziness, incompetence of the piggy administration, residual justice system (primarily due to ITS inherent slowness). I did think there would be a more direct attack on a few areas like abortion (though that seems to be brewing).

Let's see how things are after the new year when the tariffs hit and healthcare costs skyrocket and even hiding numbers on the economy won't hide the fact that the economy sucks

#8 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-12-09 01:17 PM | Reply

Cork, you may want to leave that one out after your party tried to bankrupt, jail, silence and then assassinate their main opposition.

#6 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

You may want hold on to that thought and reevaluate it after maga maroons push thru project 2025 and finish prosecuting their revenge and retribution purge policy on America.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-12-09 01:36 PM | Reply

"What would be good examples of that?"

Are you seriously asking this question because you don't know?
Are you seriously this clueless about the world around you?

Paying for Trump's ball room.
Paying $1M to attend the inauguration.
Removing all references to DEI from their business in order to retain the Federal Government as a customer.
Dropping climate change and sustainability as a company priority.

"Private companies and institutions always attempt to work with the current administration on any number of issues the administration impacts."

You Republicans just make stuff up, huh?

"U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have sued the Biden administration over the president's decision to block their proposed merger, arguing the national security review process was politically motivated and harmed the American steel industry."

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-09 01:44 PM | Reply

"Democrats tried to bankrupt, jail, silence and then assassinate their main opposition."

#6 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Are you referring to Trump? His bankruptcies were of his own design. Like his assassination attempt.

And if you are referring to Trump, he belongs jailed and silenced.

#11 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2025-12-09 01:59 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

You may want hold on to that thought and reevaluate it after maga maroons push thru project 2025 and finish prosecuting their revenge and retribution purge policy on America.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-12-09 01:36 PM | Reply

Retribution for what? Are you talking about Lawfare?

#12 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-12-09 02:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I'm working on a book about Chinese economic statecraft that has much of a chapter about Viktor Orban.

Helluva role model for a president of what used to be a free country.

#13 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2025-12-09 02:00 PM | Reply

"suppression of the opposition."
Cork, you may want to leave that one out after your party tried to bankrupt, jail, silence and then assassinate their main opposition.

#6 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-12-09 01:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

who KNEW that the pursuit of convicting known criminals was so bad!
And, WHO KNEW an entire party tried to stage (badly and obviously) an assassination attempt of Donald Trump!

Thank GOD for Fishpaw, amirite!

#14 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-12-09 02:15 PM | Reply

"Argh! Stupid Democratic Party assassinators and bankrupters! Blargh! And stupid silencers! Gargh!"

#15 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-12-09 02:25 PM | Reply

#5. No, since Ronny Ray Guns and his trickle down economics.

#16 | Posted by bat4255 at 2025-12-09 02:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

I'm working on a book about Chinese economic statecraft that has much of a chapter about Viktor Orban.

Chinese statecraft is pretty easy, must be a 3 page booklet.

Hungary isn't much different than the UK in regards to freedoms and its democratic processes, both have hate speech laws and enforce them. The one thing Hungary is doing correct is limiting its immigration.

I am not sure why the West is allowing this immigration subversion of its citizens (mass unmitigated immigration, and rooting for more drug deaths). But to each his own. There's so much debt in the West is unfathomable, while all you Lumpers get upset about nonsense, your country is drowning financially.

The West is over there's no turning back. Islam and other factions have balkanized the West. Its interesting only the eastern block nations seem to care about their culture and religions.

Good luck.

#17 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-12-09 02:49 PM | Reply

who KNEW that the pursuit of convicting known criminals was so bad!

known criminals?

To you even realize the contortion that had to be made to existing laws in order to even bring charges, much less felony charges?

You people claiming Trump is a felon are just simple idiots, lower than the IQ of a Somali.

#18 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-12-09 02:50 PM | Reply

"(Do) you even realize the contortion that had to be made to existing laws in order to even bring charges"

Feel free to present a single charge against Trump which you or I could do without fear of legal repercussions.

And if you can't, please have the class to return and admit as much.

#19 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-12-09 02:53 PM | Reply

What would be good examples of that?

Well, here's out disgusting one.

Those law firms that caved to Trump, paid him money/free legal services, because he threatened them for people they represented.

#20 | Posted by brass30 at 2025-12-09 03:00 PM | Reply

Retribution for what? Are you talking about Lawfare?

POSTED BY FISHPAW

You talk about "Lawfare". I talk about crimes.

Retribution for have his widdle feeling hurt because Americans tried to hold him accountable for his crimes then made fun of him because of his ignorance.

#21 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-12-09 03:07 PM | Reply

Retribution for what?
#12 | Posted by fishpaw

Civil rights, gay rights, women's rights, abortion, trans rights, Obama.
All of those things are harmful to America, according to you.

#22 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-09 03:11 PM | Reply

-Those law firms that caved to Trump, paid him money/free legal services, because he threatened them for people they represented.

Oh yeah.....I was shocked at that as well.

My original question is that an example of what the author is talking about? If so, then I completely agree.

#23 | Posted by eberly at 2025-12-09 03:19 PM | Reply

Eberly, who maintains he's both smart and educated, has spent this thread demonstrating he doesn't understand what fascism is, and how it operates.

#24 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-09 03:27 PM | Reply

My original question is that an example of what the author is talking about? If so, then I completely agree.

How could it not be, the first few lines say companies bowing to Trump's will.

WTF.

#25 | Posted by brass30 at 2025-12-09 03:51 PM | Reply

WTF what?

#26 | Posted by eberly at 2025-12-09 04:01 PM | Reply

One of these days soon, our Trumpers here will wake up and notice that Trump has little use for MAGA now that he's in Office.

www.politico.com

#27 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-09 04:08 PM | Reply

WTF why are you so pig ignorant?

We all know why, Eberly.

We just can't imagine you're happy living your life this way.

#28 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-12-09 04:09 PM | Reply

"Stefania Kapronczay, former head of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union"

I was curious if this person was on the same page as the rest of us.

Forgive me for asking for clarification.

It's interesting to watch people display they've completely lost all hope. They've thrown in the towel on sanity, decency, and curiosity.

They're convinced everything is rigged against them, they have no future, they count on failing, and all they have left is criticism, hatred, and disdain for fellow Americans.

Post after post proves it. Even a reasonable question deserves an attitude that's clearly driven by the characteristics I just mentioned.

I won't say I enjoy watching such a display. I have to fight it a little......

#29 | Posted by eberly at 2025-12-09 04:10 PM | Reply

What's really interesting is how well Trump's picture would fit next to the definition of Fascism.

#30 | Posted by Corky at 2025-12-09 04:19 PM | Reply