Sarah Kendzoir Warned Us Years Ago

I am reading They Knew1, by Sarah Kendzoir, written in the pandemic years, and first published in September of 2022. I am trying to understand and catch up to her warnings about the dangers of Trump’s autocratic ambitions and his Russian connections. I remember hearing about all these scandals, payoffs to Russian operatives, oligarchs, Saudi connections, and so forth for years. And of course the interference in the 2016 election for which Trump was found guilty on 34 counts and became a convicted felon in May 2024. The quotes below are from her Feb 26 article, Your Questions Answered: We're Already in the Aftermath. Main points include:

• Trump has been working closely with Russia and Putin for over 30 years
• Trump has ties to organized crime, follow the money,
• Many US officials of bothe parties are in on the organized crime schemes one way or another, so such ties are downplayed.
• Sarah Kendzoir believes in doing good and helping people directly. She loves her country, is raising with her husband two children, and will never give up on democracy.

Trump’s Kremlin Ties

Shed your delisions, we are in the Aftermath

Give money and support to groups helping others

No easy or obvious way out of the mess we are in

Find your stable routines to get along with this constant chaos

It’s hard to live with constant chaos. The instability aids autocrats because they offer an illusion of control. But it is only an illusion — a lie, a lure. Americans should expect some form of autocracy but never accept it: there is a difference. Find some routine in your life — a hobby, a daily walk, anything — that is the same every day and that no one can take away. It’ll help give you a sense of steadiness during very uncertain times.

So outside I go to see if the rabbits have been eating my primroses. See if the squirrels are eating the daffodil bulbs. See which new babies are being strolled down the street by the new families in our neighborhood. Wave and say hello to neighbors, and hope the little kids come by to climb in the cedars I planted 25 years ago.