My head is spinning. I was unaware of these internal changes in Spain, like so many Americans. We live such an insular life. Please continue to educate us!
Thank you so much, Barbara. I think many people outside Spain understandably see the country through the lens of holidays, sunshine, and post-Franco progress, so the internal shifts can feel almost invisible until they suddenly matter. I’ll definitely keep writing about it and trying to make it clear for readers who are coming to it from the outside.
That global, right wing project is taking place throughout the world. It's already well established in the US, throughout Europe and other continents. Even Biden pointed it out years ago on a trip to Europe, dealing with Ukraine. He stated that democracies were already starting to lag behind the growth of autocracies globally. The formula is now proven, the network and money is in place. And now it's got the support of of the Ellisons, Musks, Altmans etc. Before this gets better (maybe), it's gonna get a whole lot worse first.
This is so discouraging! One by one, my favorite European countries are on the brink of becoming rightwing nightmares. I can vote in France, but not in Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, or even the UK. Bon courage! We may yet overcome!!!
"If prices rise, accuse Brussels. When hospitals fail, blame migrants. If teachers protest, call it foreign interference. When queer people ask to live freely, recast it as an attack on children. If journalists investigate, label them traitors. When civil society speaks, declare it a conspiracy. Every frustration finds a target, and every target is pushed beyond the nation's boundaries."
This is grand. -- Were you formally trained in rhetoric ?
You'll note that I dusted a bit more powder onto your text's wig, tightened its shoe-buckles : The version above now, for rhythm, alternates "if" and "when" as first words and, for variety, repeats no verbs. It was, however, damned near Augustan before I tweaked it.
My name is Basque, I have DNA from Basque, Spanish, Northern Spain, South Eastern Spain & Catalonia. It is sad that Spain has so many troubles, but the Spanish should learn from Hungary & America, that right wing answers are no answers at all, just corruption & chaos. I agree with Alex that you are an incredible writer. Oh I actually do have Hungarian ancestors from long ago, but no DNA. I have ancestors from every people in western Europe, except the Sami. All the human race are my people.
Thank you so much, Richard. I love this comment, especially the family history tour through half of Europe. As far as I know, I'm as Hungarian as it gets. As far as we can trace our family back, we're very concentrated.
Spain still has time to learn from other people’s mistakes. I really hope it does.
My head is spinning. I was unaware of these internal changes in Spain, like so many Americans. We live such an insular life. Please continue to educate us!
Thank you so much, Barbara. I think many people outside Spain understandably see the country through the lens of holidays, sunshine, and post-Franco progress, so the internal shifts can feel almost invisible until they suddenly matter. I’ll definitely keep writing about it and trying to make it clear for readers who are coming to it from the outside.
That global, right wing project is taking place throughout the world. It's already well established in the US, throughout Europe and other continents. Even Biden pointed it out years ago on a trip to Europe, dealing with Ukraine. He stated that democracies were already starting to lag behind the growth of autocracies globally. The formula is now proven, the network and money is in place. And now it's got the support of of the Ellisons, Musks, Altmans etc. Before this gets better (maybe), it's gonna get a whole lot worse first.
Thank you for sharing your love of Spain, warts and all. A lovely essay to be enjoyed, savoured.
Thank you so much, Carrie. I'm so glad my writing could reach you.
Pedro Sanchez reminds me of Justin Trudeau. He would do well to find his Mark Carney, before his countrymen find their Javier Milei, or Viktor Orban.
This is so discouraging! One by one, my favorite European countries are on the brink of becoming rightwing nightmares. I can vote in France, but not in Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, or even the UK. Bon courage! We may yet overcome!!!
"If prices rise, accuse Brussels. When hospitals fail, blame migrants. If teachers protest, call it foreign interference. When queer people ask to live freely, recast it as an attack on children. If journalists investigate, label them traitors. When civil society speaks, declare it a conspiracy. Every frustration finds a target, and every target is pushed beyond the nation's boundaries."
This is grand. -- Were you formally trained in rhetoric ?
Thank you, Alex! I reckon I just picked up tricks from reading, writing, and watching politicians spin things.
In person, I’m about as dry as a saltine cracker, and it shows in my writing, too.
You'll note that I dusted a bit more powder onto your text's wig, tightened its shoe-buckles : The version above now, for rhythm, alternates "if" and "when" as first words and, for variety, repeats no verbs. It was, however, damned near Augustan before I tweaked it.
My name is Basque, I have DNA from Basque, Spanish, Northern Spain, South Eastern Spain & Catalonia. It is sad that Spain has so many troubles, but the Spanish should learn from Hungary & America, that right wing answers are no answers at all, just corruption & chaos. I agree with Alex that you are an incredible writer. Oh I actually do have Hungarian ancestors from long ago, but no DNA. I have ancestors from every people in western Europe, except the Sami. All the human race are my people.
Thank you so much, Richard. I love this comment, especially the family history tour through half of Europe. As far as I know, I'm as Hungarian as it gets. As far as we can trace our family back, we're very concentrated.
Spain still has time to learn from other people’s mistakes. I really hope it does.
Amazing insights, and certainly the truth of it. Thank you, Petr.
Thank you!