SecDef Hegseth says “toxic leadership” has been weaponized. But the real weaponization is his redefinition—shielding abuse, sanctifying toxic masculinity, and weakening the force.

We are not just the users of cultural tools. We are the passers-on. And whether we like it or not, we will be judged by the sharp tools we allow to proliferate.

After a reporter asked Donald Trump about the “eyesore” tent, he ordered it dismantled. The Peace Vigil, which had outlasted multiple administrations, wars, and Cold War threats, was silenced because its persistence offended the aesthetics of power.

We live in a moment of performative cruelty. We are governed by people who mistake sadism for strength. If you feel sick watching it unfold, as I do, that’s not moral confusion. That’s moral clarity.

This post is for him. And for every child who doesn’t know if the adults in their life will still be there tomorrow. For every parent who crossed a border not to break the law, but to keep a promise. For every American who believes that who we claim and how we treat the most vulnerable is what defines us in the end.

We’ve grown so used to measuring political discourse by conversions and victories—by who came out on top or who changed their mind on the spot. But that’s not how people work. That’s not how learning works. Engagement isn’t always about being right. Sometimes it’s about being real. Present. Willing to risk the discomfort of not being agreed with.

Tyranny doesn’t always arrive with a bang. More often, it creeps in through silence, courtesy, and deference. It thrives not on orders, but on anticipation—when people adjust their speech, their values, their gaze, before anyone even asks them to.

I’ve come to a conclusion as plain as the local bread and as bitter as the espresso: I feel more welcome here among strangers than I do back

In our fight to resist authoritarianism, we must also resist the dehumanization disguised as innovation. Because the future we’re being sold isn’t just a vision—it’s a transaction. And someone always pays.

NATS is built around four hubs to help you plug in and stay strong: Action Hub – Filter hundreds of fresh protest flyers and find where to show up. Resource Hub – Practical tools, legal guides, and how-tos for every stage of organizing. Safety Hub – Tips for staying secure online and in the streets. Self-Care Hub – Because sustainable movements need rest, resilience, and care.

This will be paywalled for some - apologies in advance - but I have to share it. Stanley's views are starling and impossible to discount....