A Vashon Minute – Tyranny

May 2nd, 2024 by Susan McCabe

Some folks feel the threat of tyranny looming over our country as things heat up for the 2024 November elections.  Others are just generally anxious about the upcoming elections.  One Islander, Denis Snow, is taking action to address his anxiety.  Denis has purchased hundreds of copies of the book On Tyranny, Twenty Lessons from the 20th Century by Timothy Snyder, Yale’s Levin Professor of History and frequent contributor to the Rachel Maddow show. Denis will distribute the book free to people who attend the Mobilizing Our Democracy Fair co-sponsored by Indivisible Vashon and V-M SUURJ, May 18.  In this episode of A Vashon Minute, Denis tells host Susan McCabe why he chose this book and why he feels it’s relevant now.  The book, a short read, titles each chapter with a call to action, such as “Do Not Obey In Advance,” and “Listen for Dangerous Words,” all cautions drawn from the history of tyrants worldwide.  Denis Snow calls the book a bucket of ice water thrown on Americans who might be complacent about the stability of our democracy.