A old friend of mine in Detroit who I met regularly for lunch years ago would invariably say (in Latin) to me upon our goodbye, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” Seems like good advice today as Trump, Sarah Sanders and all attempt to turn the Mueller report and Barr’s quick exoneration of Trump on obstruction charges into club to “grind us down.” Can’t let that happen. Too much is at stake. Itching more than ever to elect a Democratic president and Congress next year.

One major challenge for socialists in this era is to recover and give new vigor to the democratic, egalitarian, and humanistic essence and aims of socialism. It’s a mistake to think that the negative features of 20th century socialism are no longer part of popular thinking..

Trump will claim the Mueller report vindicates him and indicts his many opponents. Many will disagree. Main thing now is to insist that Barr release full report and Democrats in Congress do their job so that we can reach our own judgement about Trump and gang’s culpability. In the meantime, we should turn our attention to other issues and next year’s elections.

Before Trump landed in the White House, there was resistance on the left to embrace the concept that the struggle for socialism goes through phases and stages, each with its own particular balance of power, particular class and democratic tasks, and particular dynamics. That seems to be changing under the harsh impact of Trump’s right wing, white nationalist authoritarian rule.

Hate crimes don’t happen without organizing agents. These agents don’t necessarily pull the trigger, but what they do is set the stage and create the atmosphere — and even in some instances give a green light — for such acts. Here a whole network of hate crime enablers and agents that are inseparable from the rise of right wing extremism over the past four decades exist and do their dirty work with great diligence. And with Trump, they have a soul mate who gives their (and his) message of division and hate a unique platform and reach.