82 Comments
User's avatar
Michelle Jordan's avatar

I enjoy Ruth Ben-Ghiat commentary she gives us so much more clarity on these authoritarian leaders.

Expand full comment
Julie Lewis's avatar

Liked her analysis of what Hegseth brings to the table

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Gernert PhD's avatar

I joined her Substack group Lucid after the Biden-Trump debate. It's a community that's been going on since 2021 I believe. I look forward to our nearly every weekly meetings, a comforting community in these times with frequent enlightening guests.

Expand full comment
Kate Wessling, M.D.'s avatar

Jennifer, kudos on launching the Contrarian and at the same time a plea - please, get past those of us with 2 or 3 Ivy League degrees and start find those in small communities who, as you mentioned in the gilded age article, turned things around in that time. eg Working Families party is targeting the working class to find the next generation of office hoiders.to get

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Gernert PhD's avatar

Kindly work to keep those of us with Ivy League degrees in the fold. We're not so bad. We can expand the community certainly, and need to, particularly with the many voters who sat this one out. I had a conversation with my barber that was enlightening.

Expand full comment
Erica's avatar

I've worked in Communications for almost 30 years. My job is to distill complex scientific and medical information so the public can understand it. Guidance was to do it at an 8th grade reading level, now it's 6th grade (neither happens in reality). Dems OVERWHELMINGLY message at graduate school level or beyond. And that's why liberals are branded as elites.

Expand full comment
Bev Champagne's avatar

I totally agree with you, Kate! The people that elected him need to relate in some way to what is being said and reported on The Contrarian. We need to speak to them in a language they can understand.

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Gernert PhD's avatar

We need to be very careful about speaking to people in "language they can understand." What they MAY hear is sneering. I'm thinking of Lawrence O'Donnell, for example. I don't think these conversations need to be condescending, but condescension is something to watch out for.

Expand full comment
Bev Champagne's avatar

I agree and I apologize for sounding condescending or demeaning.

Expand full comment
Erica's avatar

And we desperately need more diversity. It's clear from every substack that I am on, the age rage, ethnicity, etc. is the same.

Expand full comment
Karen J Merchant's avatar

Love what you guys are doing - we NEED you! I personally need to feel I’m not alone and that I’m part of a community of like minded people. I have no illusions about what we are facing and how difficult it will be, but as you just said and as Joyce always says, “we’re in this together”. Thank you for your courage, insight and love!

Expand full comment
Betsy's avatar

Just an excellent and insightful interview!! Please let's hear more from Ben-Ghiat. I am so thrilled with what you, Jen Rubin, and your fellow contributors, have organized. It is so necessary at this time.

Expand full comment
Mary T. Pytelewski's avatar

Is it 2029 yet?

Expand full comment
K Nathan's avatar

Ruth Ben-Ghiat connects the dots clearly and concisely. We now identify as the Resistance.

Expand full comment
Emily's avatar

Want things in read format, not listen, please.

Expand full comment
Emily Gillespie's avatar

For me (Windows 11 PC), I was able to toggle a transcript. My icon looks like a little page, to the right of the progress bar. You can also get captions, I think.

Expand full comment
Emily's avatar

Thanks! I'll try it.

Expand full comment
Emily Gillespie's avatar

OH! Also looks like you can toggle a transcript just at the top of these comments.

Expand full comment
Robin from NY's avatar

Thank you for pointing me to the transcript button!

Expand full comment
Michgano53's avatar

I would love to have a transcript of the interviews. I keep getting notices of upcoming interviews while I’m busy doing something else and then try to open it after it’s over and miss them,

Expand full comment
Kate's avatar

This is a terrific interview. I've heard Ruth Ben-Ghiat interviewed numerous times, but she offers new insights in this interview—many thanks.

Expand full comment
Susan J Paxton's avatar

I just realized while watching her that I do indeed need to read the thick history of fascist Italy I was looking at in the library a few weeks ago.

Expand full comment
Wayne Schutz's avatar

As of Noon today, I am the Opposition.

Expand full comment
Teresa Pierce's avatar

Such a good conversation and I appreciate the ideas for playing our part as the opposition.

Expand full comment
gerri caldarola's avatar

Brava for taking that step to leave the Post.

Expand full comment
Janice Corrado's avatar

This was a fascinating and frightening conversation. Thank you, Jennifer, for all of your efforts throughout this day to provide thoughtful, informative, and historical context for what’s ahead.

Expand full comment
Karin Gilman's avatar

Thank you for this interview. The take away are very important! Add defending our democracy every day just as we reach out to our loved one’s and take care of our bodies. Perfect advice!

Expand full comment
John Olver's avatar

I wondered where Jenn had gone and am happy to find her on this great site which i just subscribed to.Rubin’s columns are always a pleasure to read and the addition of these wonderful interviews is a huge bonus. The Contrarian and the associated sub stacks will now be my first stop of the day and maybe the only place i go to for true and valuable information. And Ijust bought two of Heather Cox Richardson’s books. Jenn, please don’t go anywhere for a while, your voice is much. Needed.

Expand full comment
willoughby's avatar

We're in for a dreadful era of turbulence, corruption, and repression. It matters to learn the lessons of history: it matters to understand what it is we're up against. This is an excellent interview.

Expand full comment
Paul Wortman's avatar

Thanks for having Ruth Ben-Ghost explain what we’re up against and how we can oppose it. I hope you at The Contrarian will point out those fighting for democracy that we should support.

Expand full comment
Biophysicist's avatar

Ben-Ghiat, please!

Expand full comment