"Freedom of Speech For Me, But Not for Thee?" ... and "In The Eye"

So this is a weird post that may be a bit dark for some, as it was inspired by a "what if" conversation regarding the current Trump administration.

Because as we know, most Trumpers' mantra, besides MAGA, has been perverting the concept of freedom of speech and press to include spreading lies and false propaganda - fear and hate.

But now that they are in charge, with denying entry into our country for even tourists who have ever criticized President Trump and denying press access who have told the truth/been critical of Trump access (below post) ...

...  as well as bills circulating even within my own State of Kentucky to outlaw even peaceful protest - which IS provided for in our constitution ...

... and the FBI being used to arrest state judges who resist the new, brutal (and often wrongful) deportation of even legal immigrants ...

... this is dictator behavior - and we then aren't but a stone's throw away from natural-born citizens being arrested for protest or public criticism, too.

They will make up false justification, of course, as Fox News is already doing with the wrongfully detained or deported U.S. citizens thus far. 

But yesterday, they apparently deported 2-year-old child who was born in the U.S. to Honduras, without following protocol or due process!

What's your justification now, a-holes?

A toddler terrorist?

I don't think so.


Thus, my husband and I had this weird "what if" conversation, about what we would do in the unlikely event (or not?) if ever arrested for protest or public criticism of Trump - or worse, they became violent - just thinking aloud.

Now first of all, you need to know that I've never been arrested or charged with anything in my life - but I would be willing to do so in resistance against THIS BS.

You don't even wanna know what my former-Army Ranger husband said he would do. 😂

I wouldn't get violent - and the first thing that came to my mind was an old song by folk/alt musician, Suzanne Vega, called "In The Eye."

No one is really sure what it's about, but the theory is that it's about domestic violence.



At that time, Suzanne was known for drawing attention to certain social causes by adding dark lyrics to an upbeat tune, like her 1988 hit "Luka," which was about discovering the child abuse of her neighbor.


Perhaps an unusual way to draw attention to social causes, an unusual juxtaposition, but very effective. Suzanne's hallmark is to an intentionally inflict emotional conflict, to the point you almost feel guilty for humming along merrily to the upbeat melody.

So essentially, I would just go down singing this song, looking them directly in the eye 😁

LYRICS:

If you were to kill me now right here
I would still look you in the eye
And I would burn myself into your memory
As long as you were still alive


I would live inside of you
I'd make you wear me like a scar
And I would burn myself into your memory
And run through everything you are


I would not run
I would not turn
I would not hide
I would not run
I would not turn
I would not hide

I would live inside of you
I'd make you wear me like a scar
And I would burn myself into your memory
And run through everything you are


I would not run
I would not turn
I would not hide
I would not run
I would not turn
I would not hide

[Post-Chorus]
In the eye

And in case you think I'm just talking tough and wouldn't really do that in that situation, think again.

Because unfortunately I already have had to sing it - twice in my life.

If I could sing it to my own father and my exhusband when my life was threatened - I can definitely sing it to some numb-nutted, jack-booted Trump thugs arresting me or worse for protest or public criticism of Trump.

(Despite my social anxiety and PTSD, something happens to me when actually in an actual emergency where I actually don't fall apart until afterwards - instead, I go on autopilot during and think, faster than usual because of adrenaline - which Mark calls my "Ripley" mode.)

And I'm still here ... but will sing it again, if the need ever arises.

Let us hope that I never do have to sing it to anyone ever again!