Sometimes it can be a huge mistake to associate with the wrong people. Such associations can end your career, wreak havoc on your family life, or lead to jail time. They can change your life forever—and not in a good way. Let’s take a quick look at the misfortunes of some of the people who hitched their wagons to the Donald Trump star. 

More than 1,100 people have been charged for their roles in the January 6 riot on the Capitol. Many of those people who were convicted said they came to Washington and rioted because Trump told them the election was stolen, and they believed him. Henry Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Stuart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, and Ethan Nordean, a military veteran, were both sentenced to l8 years in prison. Joseph Biggs, a former leader of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Zachery Rehl, president of the Proud Boys Philadelphia chapter, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Many more rioters received lesser but significant sentences.

In the Georgia election case, Donald Trump and 18 others have been charged with participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Last week, two of those who were indicted pleaded guilty. Kenneth Cheseboro, a lawyer who advised the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to a felony for conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election. Sidney Powell, another lawyer who advised the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to one count to commit theft and five counts of conspiring to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties. Earlier this year, Scott Hall, a bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors and agreed to testify against others. 

 Steve Bannon, former White House strategist, was convicted of contempt of Congress. He is appealing that conviction. He also has also been charged with money laundering and conspiracy. That case goes to trial in May 2024. 

Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO for the Trump Organization, spent more than three months in jail for tax fraud.

Peter Navarro, Trump’s former White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress. One charge deals with failing to appear to the January 6 Committee after receiving a subpoena. The other charge deals with failing to produce requested documents. Navarro is in the process of appealing those convictions.

Roger Stone, Trump’s friend and advisor, was found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation, giving false statements, and tampering with a witness. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison. Trump pardoned him shortly before his sentence was scheduled to begin.

John Eastman, a Trump election lawyer, turned himself into authorities regarding the Georgia election case. He is famous for writing a memo describing how Vice President Pence could overturn the election results. The State Bar of California accused Eastman of promoting election lies and has sought to revoke his California law license. Eastman pleaded the 5th more than 100 times when he testified before the January 6 Committee. 

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, was sentenced to three years in prison for tax fraud, lying to banks, and violating campaign finance laws. The campaign finance charges related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Following his felony convictions, Cohen was disbarred in New York.

Michael Flynn, once Trump’s National Security advisor, pleaded guilty to the FBI about his interactions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States. Trump pardoned him shortly before he left office.

Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and lobbying violations. He was sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison. Trump later pardoned him. 

Rick Gates, Manafort’s former business partner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and lying to investigators about the Russia campaign probe. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail. 

Rudy Giuliani has a sizable number of legal cases in play, including lawsuits from lawyers who are suing him for unpaid legal bills. The New York Times recently reported that Giuliani owes more than $3 million in legal fees. His cases include making false statements against Fulton County election workers, and he faces 13 counts of racketeering charges. His New York City apartment is currently for sale. Giuliani is no longer America’s Mayor.

Walt Nauta, Trump’s personal aide and Carlos De Oliveira, the head of maintenance at Mar-a-Lago are both charged in the classified documents case—charges that deal with mishandling classified documents, false statements and attempting to delete surveillance footage. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to the handling of classified documents. 

More people are likely to face legal problems because of their relationships with Trump. Jared Kushner and Lindsay Graham to name a few. 

The author Louisa May Alcott once wrote, “Keep good company…and good books…love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.” Great advice Louisa. I wonder how many of the people mentioned above wish they had taken it. 

Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of a Federal Human Capital practice for an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, piano, nature, kayaking, and gardening. 

In a surprise attack by Hamas terrorists, thirteen hundred men, women, and children, mostly non-combatants, were slaughtered in Israel on 7 October 2023. The terrorists abducted another 199 to use as bargaining chips, human shields, or reasons known only to them.

One could point to the killing of German and Japanese non-combatants by US strategic bombing in WW2 as an immoral equivalence. One could sympathize with the plight of Palestinians who feel their land was stolen by Jews in the wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973.

Those issues aside because too complicated to here compare, repaying what you perceive to be immoral acts with equally immoral acts is, I think, immoral.

That idea allows me to consider the 7 October attack in isolation, and ask “If our country was attacked in like manner, how would we respond?” This is where perspective arrives. I will make my point by analogy (please remember this is just an analogy).

Suppose agents of the Mexican government, to show their displeasure with US policies and people, were firing rockets at Texas towns every few days. Then they decided to get serious and make a larger-scale attack. 

The US population is 35 times larger than that of Israel, so the 1,300 people murdered in Israel would equate to 45,500 US citizens murdered by agents of Mexico. The 199 men, women, and children abducted by Hamas would equate to 7,000 US citizens/visitors held hostage as bargaining chips. “Don’t hit back at us or we’ll kill these hostages.” Is this not double depravity in the ISIS model? 

I note that The US lost 2,403 souls in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. In the Korean War of 1950-1953, we lost 36,634 people, mostly military. And we went to war against Al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan upon losing 3,000 American civilians in the 9/11 attack of 2001.

Thus, one should be able to understand Israel’s reaction to the 7 October attack by Hamas killers. Easy for outsiders to urge restraint. But put yourself in their shoes. What would we do?

Bob Moores retired from Black & Decker/DeWalt in 1999 after 36 years. He was the Director of Cordless Product Development at the time. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University  

One of life’s great experiences on the Eastern Shore is hooking a two foot long Rockfish on light tackle around the shorelines of Chesapeake Bay.  Feeling that pulse at the end of your line is special, and seeing a kid’s face light up from that feeling is even more special.  Relationships are built watching a sunset with a keeper Rockfish in the cooler.

The early Rockfish season of 2023 on the middle Eastern Shore was the best in recent memory.  For most of June anglers were catching multiple fish in the 24 to 30 inch range every time out. In catching up with friends after the early season there was a strangely uniform response – a wide eyed and far away gaze followed by “wow.”

Unfortunately, by the first of July this summer the weather turned hot and the Bay water temperature crept up toward 80 degrees and exceeded 80 starting on July 5.  During this time Rockfish were still feeding, but I noticed their fight diminished and on landing were exhausted.  Because of the heat I stopped fishing around July 1st.  However, the number of anglers visible around Eastern Bay was surging and most were practicing catch and release well past their one fish limit.  Even more ominous was the number of anglers who kept fishing right through the season closure of July 15 – August 1st when Bay water temps were well over 80 degrees.  Dead Rockfish or “Floaters” were tragically common.

Coincidentally, the Maryland Rockfish Young of Year index, released last week, showed a 1.0 index – the second lowest reproduction level since 1954.  Even worse, the index has been well below average for the last six years.  Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries managers attribute the low reproduction to warm and dry weather through the winter and spring.  Over the coming winter DNR fisheries managers will be considering additional protections for Rockfish in 2024.

Despite the mixed results for 2023, I remain bullish about the future of Rockfish on the Chesapeake.  Growing up in the 1970’s the Rockfish population was so small that we simply did not catch them at all – despite fishing several times a week.  In 1984 Gov. Harry Hughes imposed a full moratorium on Rockfish harvest.  Since the moratorium was lifted around 1990 a variety of tackle restrictions and conservation measures have been implemented and adjusted through the years.  For me, since 1990 I have had at least a chance of catching a legal Rockfish every time out.

For the future, of course all recreational anglers must know and follow the rules and limits laid down by DNR fisheries managers – including new and likely more strict conservation protections for 2024.  But we as individual anglers should go further and use some common sense to protect this magnificent shared resource.  Once the Bay water temperature reaches 80 degrees or the air temperature reaches 90 degrees leave the Rockfish alone regardless of seasonal closures.  DNR has an excellent new “Striped Bass Fishing Advisory” which includes real time high temperature warnings along with time of day and catch and release best practices.

I am so grateful for the Gov. Hughes Rockfish moratorium in 1984, and for the constant attention by DNR fisheries managers since then.  But regulations are not enough.  We need all anglers to take personal responsibility to care for these fish and their future.  My children have all felt the pulsing tug of a big Rockfish – I just hope their children will have the same opportunity.

Rob Etgen retired in 2021 after a 40 year career in conservation – the last 31 years as President of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. In retirement Rob is enjoying family and working on global and local sustainability issues with Council Fire consulting out of Annapolis.

 

I was told by many of our residents and other attendees of this year’s Crab and Clam bake that, water, and all, ‘this was the best clam bake ever!’ Having grown up in Crisfield, the Crab and Clam Bake has been a staple in our community for a long time. I remember when my father who worked for Alan Tyler, cooked the crabs for the 1st crab and clam bake. The J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake, named for the former Governor from Crisfield has been a source of tremendous pride for our citizens.

True to its name, it is a political event. A time to gather and network at all levels in a relaxing and intentionally casual and comfortable environment. It IS politics at its best, but like any event, there are portions which are, and should be exclusive. But it is with certainty that I can say that the regular, everyday residents (voters) of Crisfield do not feel excluded. Instead, we feel special. To be the host of such a distinguished and time-honored event has provided a source of exposure and recognition a small town like ours could never have garnished otherwise, and I am sure many other towns would love to have.

It’s economic benefits to the City of Crisfield can’t be overstated. Since its inception, it has proved to be an important economic stimulus for local residents who would otherwise not have an opportunity to make the amount of money they get for helping out in one day, in a week’s worth of labor. Numerous students are also hired and trained on hospitality and get an opportunity to make money, gain experience, and meet influential people, they might otherwise never meet.

This wonderful event is put on every year by our Chamber of Commerce, and they do an absolutely amazing job, but the tent provision for the enormous undertaking which employs so many locals and students for a day and provides impressive accommodations for our Governor and other political representatives and candidates is made possible by someone who is in a position to do so and who has a love for the Crisfield community, Mr. Bruce Bereano. We owe him a debt of gratitude for helping to make this such a memorable and sought after event for our little town.

Make no mistake, our residents (average voters) look forward in anticipation to his tent and the opportunities it brings. Economic opportunities and opportunities to mix and mingle in a way not possible if he did not have such an elaborately, organized and intentional destination for our politicians to come and engage with our citizens (average voters); and as important as it is, it is only one aspect of the networking, comradery, and overall goodwill that this event generates for everyone who attends, inside, outside and around his tent.

People (average voters) come from near and far. This is one of the few times we come together and are not constrained by political affiliation, so yes, without a doubt, the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake is ……’Politics at its best’!!

Darlene Taylor is the mayor of Crisfield, Maryland

 

The US Congress is closed because of human failure in the House.  However, if the cause, for instance, were a terrorist attack on the Capitol, resulting in the death of House members, including its leadership, what would the Executive Branch do to help Congress get back to work? Who knows?

During 30 years working in the State Department, I participated in a number of  exercises addressing similar emergencies aimed at reconstituting a viable US government. However, the reality today is no scenario. It involves multiple domestic and foreign crises that require Congressional action. The entire federal government could be forced to shut in 4-5 weeks because the Continuing Resolution Congress recently passed, ends in November.  And the inability of the House to elect its speaker means no one has the authority to convene its members, to address and vote on funding (or any) legislation.     

Moreover, the the US for circa 20 months has been leading a NATO/EU coalition supporting Ukraine, as it fights to eject the Russians. And then on October 7, 2023, Israel was brutally attacked by HAMAS and has now declared war against it. 

The US is unable to pass legislation to continue financial and military aid to Ukraine, which has set the standard for our European allies’ efforts.  Similarly, for the same reason, Washington is unable to appropriate and authorize the aid Israel very much needs now.  

What did President Madison and the members of Congress do after the British burned down the Capitol and the White House on August 24, 1814? Dolly Madison saved the famous portrait of George Washington, but what did her husband and his Congressional colleagues do? They probably didn’t wait for the Speaker, Henry Clay to get things organized. Actually, Madison and his immediate staff escaped to what is today, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

We are in a cool forest near the Tuckahoe River. Our group is clustered in close around Serenella Linares – not an exotic species – but a truly exotic person.  Serenella is showing our Master Naturalist class the tiniest of mushrooms and describing its shape and smell and even taste (”slightly chemical at the back of your throat”). 

Serenella is Facility Director at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Prince Georges County.  She is also the “Fun-Gal” who leads walks and teaches about forest fungi with an infectious child-like curiosity.  And this week, Serenella has twenty or so Master Naturalists In-Training enthralled with mushrooms and lichens glowing yellow and green or purple under various iPhone light filters. 

The Master Naturalist program is a 60 hour training program spread over one Thursday per month for a year with field trips and classroom instruction and lots of hands on exploration of all types of bugs and birds and critters.  After the training Master Naturalists are certified conditionally on providing 40 hours per year of volunteer service to host organizations like Adkins Arboretum and Pickering Creek Environmental Center.

The Master Naturalist training enables volunteers to lead bird walks, help with children’s nature activities, maintain native gardens, or many other public service activities.  Here on the Eastern Shore Jenny Houghton and Adkins Arboretum near Ridgely are the host for our Master Naturalist class, but there are classes in varying locations around Maryland coordinated by the University of Maryland Extension Service.

During my year as part of the 2023 Master Naturalist in Training class we have learned about oysters at the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery, historic land use on the Eastern Shore from Dr. Wayne Bell, turtles, lizards and snakes from Dr. Beth Schlimm, and many others.  My favorite has been traipsing the forests and looking under logs with Serenella Linares.  Each of the classes has been a terrific reminder about the renewing power of nature and our own natural curiosity.  

As summer wanes here on the Eastern Shore, get outside and enjoy the leaves, watch some ducks, peak under logs, and experience and enjoy the real beauty of the Eastern Shore.  And if you get really curious, check out the Master Naturalist Program. With a few more classes and a final project I aspire to be a “Master Naturalist” by year end.  Wish me luck!

Rob Etgen retired in 2021 after a 40 year career in conservation – the last 31 years as President of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. In retirement Rob is enjoying family and working on global and local sustainability issues with Council Fire consulting out of Annapolis.

Here’s what I don’t understand. Donald Trump has relentlessly maligned his own appointees in business and in his administration. He has relentlessly maligned political contenders in his own party and other parties. A guy who has never served his country (claimed bone spurs)—nor have his children—maligns those who have served in the military. He continues to malign government institutions. His comments about women are crude, rude, racist, and misogynistic. So, given all that, why is anyone still loyal to Donald Trump? 

Trump claims that, “If they’re coming after me, they are coming after you.”  Folks, Trump is not your friend. “They” aren’t coming after you. He is coming after you. Why? Because he has come after virtually everybody else. Below are just a few cases in point.

Jeff Sessions, his attorney general. Trump said his appointment was “one of the worst mistakes I ever made. He’s an idiot.”

John Bolton, his national security advisor. Trump said, “If I had listened to him, we would be in World War 6.” (What?)

Michael Cohen, lawyer for the Trump organization. Trump said, “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen. He’s a weak person, not a very smart person, a fraudster.” 

Steve Bannon, Chief Strategist, White House. Trump later called him “Sloppy Steve.”

Omarosa, former Apprentice contestant and later a Trump campaign director. Trump called her “not very smart,” a “lowlife.” 

Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State. Trump described him as “a moron,” “dumb as a rock,” and “lazy as hell.”

General Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump called him a “traitor who deserves the death penalty.”

Nikki Haley, UN Ambassador. Trump called her a “birdbrain” and later sent her campaign a birdcage and bird feed. Haley’s campaign manager called his actions, “weird, creepy, and desperate.”  

These people are Trump’s political appointees. He chose them. Please help me understand why any sane person would agree to serve in his administration should he be reelected.

Here are a few comments that Trump has made about those who have served our country. Trump called those who served in the military and died “suckers.” He did not want to be seen in the presence of amputees because it didn’t make him look good. He refused to visit the graves of soldiers in France. He called them “losers.” Please help me understand why any veteran or any parent of a child who served in the military would vote for this man.

Here are just a few nicknames Trump has for his adversaries: Crooked Hillary, Little Rocket Man, Little Marco, Low-energy Jeb, Pocahontas, Crazy Maxine Waters, Sleepy Creepy Joe, Little Adam Schiff, Shifty Schiff, Wild Bill Clinton, Cheatin’ Obama, Lyin’ Ted, Alfred E. Neuman, Nervous Nancy, Mr. Magoo, Slime Ball James Comey, Ron DeSanctimonious, Meatball Ron, Letitia Peekaboo James, Deranged Jack Smith, Psycho Joe.   

Here is just a sampling of the institutions that Trump has maligned: the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Education, CIA, US Courts, the Military, and NATO.

Here are a few derogatory comments Trump has made about women:  slobs, pigs, dogs, fat, ugly, and horseface. 

Here is how Trump describes himself: “Great looking,” “smart,” “a true stable genius.”

My case rests. 

Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the Federal Human Capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, gardening, piano, kayaking and nature. 
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How many times in the last eight years have I said to myself “this is not normal”?

Background.

In July 1959 I enlisted for three years in the US Army. It was not out of patriotism. America was not at war, and lacking both purpose and confidence, I thought it would be an adventure – and maybe in the process I would mature a little.

Being pre-Vietnam, I never saw combat. After basic and advanced training, I was assigned as a truck and jeep driver in the 63rd Transportation Company at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Eighteen months later, the army decided I would make a good personnel clerk, trained me as such, and sent me to the 77th Medical Depot, an army hospital-base in Vitry-le-Francois, France. Our mission, at the height of the Cold War, was to care for the wounded if and when Soviets attacked our troops in West Germany. 

I’ve always admired heroes, especially those who risk their lives in the service of others. That’s one of the reasons why, with my access to Army regulations, I took an interest in studying citations for award of decorations. That way, I could look at a dress uniform and see which medals had been awarded for heroism in combat. Medals for valor are always displayed on the top row of the “fruit salad” of ribbons over the left shirt pocket. 

During my three years in the army I took the opportunity to talk privately with veterans of the Korean War who had been decorated for valor in combat actions. I found a common thread. None were braggards; modesty was the rule. All downplayed their heroism. I had to pry details from them. One who was awarded the Silver Star for defense of his comrades in repelling a “human wave” attack with his M1 Garand rifle told me “I was “just doing my job”.

Moving ahead to July 2015, presidential candidate Donald trump was asked by CBS pollster Frank Luntz what he thought about John McCain’s military service. Trump responded “He’s not a war hero, he’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured, okay? I hate to tell you.”

When I saw this exchange on TV I was shocked, dismayed, and angered. John McCain’s A-4E Skyhawk was shot down by a missile over Hanoi in October 1967. Taken prisoner, he endured five-and-a-half years of torture and ill treatment by his captors. He refused their propaganda-driven offer of early release because his fellow prisoners were not offered the same. For Donald Trump to denigrate McCain’s service in this manner was not only a display of abject ignorance (being captured is usually not an individual choice), but an affront to every veteran, living or dead, in our history. This from a man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and avoided military service himself. This behavior was decidedly not normal.

Trump, as president, claimed that he hired only the best people. Why then, did his administration display the highest turnover of senior staffers of any administration I had ever seen? Why were most of those people saying he was a self-serving idiot or moron? This was not normal.

Trump has been impeached twice, lost a civil trial for groping a woman, had his university successfully sued for fraud, had his chief financial officer and personal lawyer jailed, and is currently defending against business fraud in New York. Our justice system is trying to figure out a way to schedule four other trials for crimes against the United States for which he has been indicted. Is this normal for any citizen, much less a former president?

Yesterday, Trump’s former Chief of Staff, Marine Corp General John Kelly, said Trump is “a person who admires dictators and murderous autocrats, a person that has no idea what American stands for, and has no idea what America is about.”

Kelly said Trump is “a person who thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there’s nothing in it for them’.” Trump supporters, I ask you to think about that statement. Kelly said Trump “rants that our precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’, and wouldn’t visit their graves in France. He said Trump is “a person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me’.” Is this normal?

Kelly said Trump is not truthful regarding his position on the protection of unborn life, on women, on minorities, on evangelical Christians, on Jews, on working men and women.”

Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, says her uncle is loyal to only one person, himself. Cassidy Hutchinson, former assistant to Mark Meadows, said in her new book, Enough, that “Donald trump is loyal only to himself.” Yesterday, Trump’s former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, said “the only thing he cares about is himself.” 

General Mark Milley, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said in his retirement speech last Friday that we in the service “do not take an oath to a king, or a queen, or a tyrant, or a dictator. We do not take an oath to a wannabe dictator.” For these remarks, Trump called for his execution!

Trump supporters. Don’t you get it? He doesn’t care about you. He cares only to the extent that you’ll give him your vote. He’s not loyal to you. With the slightest criticism he’ll drop you like a hot potato. Do you really want him in the White House again?

THIS IS NOT NORMAL!

Bob Moores retired from Black & Decker/DeWalt in 1999 after 36 years. He was the Director of Cordless Product Development at the time. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University

The world, very much including the US,  is confronting era-shaping challenges: global warming, pandemics, a major war in Europe, a belligerent China and louder domestic, sometimes violent, demands for more authoritarian and less democratic, governance.  A noticeable trans-Atlantic political mood shift, reminiscent of the interwar period, is also underway; a time when religious and ethnic minorities, were political & physical targets and strong-man rule was ascendant.  President Biden himself describes the choice American voters will face on 11/05/24 as  between democracy and authoritarianism. 

America in 2023 reflects a very strange sociopolitical reality, one which a columnist recently described as a “…digitally connected yet emotionally disjointed and spiritually unmoored society.“  The latter could explain why one of America’s two historically dominant political parties, has been co-opted by a radical authoritarian element, led by a charismatic demagogue. 

While it retains the trappings of a certified US party, its irresponsible actions, disinterest in governing in accordance with the Constitution and resort to violent insurrection in 2021, are characteristic of mass movements pursuing political power to rule.  Over the past 3-5 years, it has also acquired the patina of a personality cult. 

Other established democratic governments are experiencing similar internal anti-democratic pressures. Germany’s electoral politics now includes a relatively new political party, the AfD (Alternative for Germany). Its platform includes Islamophobia, anti-immigration, hyper-nationalism and climate-change denial. Over 8 years, it  has  won enough seats in the Bundestag to threaten the Chancellor’s own party. 

Even Israel has gone from “Exodus” to a battle between outraged voters and their hyper-conservative government. The prime minister’s coalition is working to end the Israeli Supreme court’s authority to overturn “unreasonable” legislation – the only existing check on dictatorial  tendencies.  

Assessing the staying power of the US Constitutional system is not easy. However, a Harvard history professor, Dr. Serhi Plokhy, suggested a good starting point.  “History, he said, makes the present legible”.  The following traces through millennia, instances when democratic forms of government were replaced or preceded by more  autocratic systems.  

Ancient Rome and Greece to 1787 Philadelphia

Roman Republic (509-27BC) emerged after a group of aristocrats successfully revolted against the last Etruscan King.  Inspired by the earlier Greek democracies, they introduced one of the  earliest and longest-lived representative democracies. It collapsed centuries later because of serious economic problems, wide-spread public corruption and a civil war started and won by a popular general, Julius Caesar. He was Rome’s dictator for 2 years  until his assassination on March 15, 44BC.

Athens and Plato 

Plato (427-347BC) believed democracy was inherently weak, vulnerable to dictators and unable to produce leaders with the intelligence, ability and skills to govern effectively. During his life time in Athens, he experienced oligarchies,,direct democracy and tyrannies, but died before Macedonia conquered Athens (338BC). 

Roman Empire (27BC – 476AD) Caesar’s great nephew, Augustus, became Rome’s first emperor. Many Centuries later, after a long internal decline, the western Empire ended in 476AD, when the last Roman Emperor, Romulus,was defeated by Germanic barbarian forces.  The Empire continued in the East (Byzantium)  for 1100 more years, until several debilitating internal civil wars resulted in the 1442AD fall of Constantinople, to an Ottoman army. The 1400 plus year reigns of these two closely related Empires, represents the longest tenure to date of a single form of government. 

Italian City States (12th – 14th Century). They styled themselves as “republics” and were able to innovate because the Alps protected them, from invasions by the Germanic Holy Roman Emperors.  Left to themselves, they developed limited representative governments, early capitalism, banking and accounting. However, by the 14th Century all, except Venice,  had become hereditary duchies and principalities.  

Great Britain. The long march to the US Constitution and its representative democracy,  began in 13th Century England. The barons had grown tired of King John’s arbitrary rule and his poaching on their prerogatives. In 1215, they forced him to sign the Magna Carta, subjecting him to the same traditional common law and the document’s rights, that all subjects followed. It is considered the cornerstone of our individual liberties today. The barons also created an oversight Committee of 26 (barons) to ensure the king didn’t stray,:an acknowledged ancestor of the UK Parliament.

Fifty years later, in 1265, a powerful British noble, Simon de Montfort convened what is considered the first “representative” parliament, because he invited commoner town/city officials to join the barons and knights to discuss governance issues. The lower house of the British Parliament is called the Commons.

Much later, in the 17th Century, two British civil wars challenged the “excessive” powers of the monarchy versus the parliament’s. King Charles I was executed, leading to 5 years of Oliver Cromwell’s puritanism and military dictatorship.  Cromwell died in 1658, and Charles II was restored to his father’s throne in 1660. Puritanism faded fast.

The Glorious Revolution (1688-89) saw the bloodless deposition of the Roman Catholic King, James II & his daughter’s and her husband William’s peaceful accession as co-monarchs. Both were Protestants. 

Almost coincident, in 1689 two British intellectuals, Isaac Newton and John Locke wrote 2 manuscripts. Together, they formed the basis of the The Enlightenment,  a hugely liberalizing political philosophy. They described it as an attempt to  synthesize the relationship between God, Man and Human Nature. Many of America’s founders were deeply influenced by it.  And Jefferson, translated it for the Declaration of Independence as: “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. “ 

The Revolution, the Constitution and the Birth of the United States of America

Many of the 55  Americans attending the May 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, had an Enlightenment vision in mind for their new country.  Also, they and other Revolutionary leaders had grown up in the 13 colonies, were very familiar with Britain’s political history and had experienced its colonial governance structure: an executive and a 2 house legislature (appointed council & elected assembly).

. The final draft of the Constitution was completed in September 1787. But, ratification was delayed to allow stronger protections for citizens against a possibly overbearing Federal Government, to be added. The first ten amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights) were inserted and the revised draft was sent to the state legislatures. It should be noted, that slavery economics had been ignored, in order to get Southern ratification.

By March 9, 1789  a majority of states had approved it and some 9 months later, US and UK reps.  signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolution and recognizing the independence of the USA. 

Has the Past made our Political Present Legible? 

Yes, it helps, The earlier mini-review of Western political evolution, does offer two  general conclusions: (1) no single form of government lasts forever and (2) the thousands of major changes in Western forms of government since 427BC (Plato’s birth) have included few that were gradual, calm or even peaceful.  

Moreover, today’s political environment is also being shaped by three singular 21st Century realities: (1) the existence of social media/special apps; (2) the willingness of some 2000 Americans to violently overthrow the legitimate outcome of the 2020 presidential election (failed) and (3) the party’s presumed 2024 presidential candidate is the one whose loss of reelection in 2020, led to the failed 2021, assault on the US Capitol.

Since late 2021, he has been indicted by 4 courts on 91 criminal charges.  However, his popularity among millions of party members has not diminished.  If convicted or again loses, what then?  . For the preceding 156 years (1865-2021), the US had avoided any comparable American on American brutality, for political ends.  

The co-opted party gained a small House majority in January 2023.  The radicals, under the leadership of their speaker, who traded his authority for the job, has been unable to control their dysfunction and chaos. In May they were responsible for a very near US default on its debt and in September, for a likely closure of the Federal Government on 10/01/23. The party itself continues to undermine US agencies and departments. 

Benjamin Franklin understood the fragility of this form of government he had just helped  create. As he left the Pennsylvania State House in September 1787, he answered a passerby’s query: “We have a Republic, he said,  if you can keep it.” And that’s the question we face today: Can we keep it?

That’s a known unknown (thanks to former SecDef Rumsfeld). 

“There are three kinds of people: those who see; those who see when they are shown; and those who do not see.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.