A corrupt, maleficent theocratic autocrat is dead, felled by two other schoolyard bullies. And we are at war.

Why? Well, it certainly distracts us from everything else Trump and Netanyahu were doing. In the middle of this war, as turmoil abounds, as folks shelter from the bombs and watch as the world holds its breath, let’s look at the movements those two other autocrats are leading – at items not listed in press conferences. These three bullies (one deceased) have far too much in common. A Christian, a Jew, and a Muslim walked into a war….

In recent times, the tenor at home in both Israel and the US has been repressive onslaughts by far-right religious fundamentalist nationalists seeking to control the rest of us according to their perception of “right.” The leaders do not only want to “win,” they want to gain and retain influence, stay out of jail, and push the limits of the law to do so. The right wing is in power, and its belligerence is not limited to war on other countries. They will use these would-be despots to prevail.

Right is not always right. The bullies are after us, too.

In the US, White Christian Nationalism has infiltrated the right wing currently in power. These Nationalists have been hell-bent on dominating the country for a long time, and their latest efforts include posting their sect’s version of the Ten Commandments in our public spaces, teaching their religion in our public schools, and making Christianity the religion of the land. They disregard our mandated separation of church and state.

Ideals woven throughout their presidential guidebook “Project 2025” would outlaw anything they deem to be against their religion, such as gay rights and women’s rights. They want married women to stay home during elections while their husbands vote on their behalf. “Nationalism” rears up as the government sends around soldiers to arrest those who “look different” in our own cities, under the presumption that........

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