The phases of collapse can tell us what’s next
Dallas: The anatomy of political failure throughout world history (revolution), otherwise known as the rise and fall of empires — is it relevant to the U.S.A. in 2026?
Certain obvious warning signs always present themselves before a political revolution takes place, and are unerringly present throughout the history of the world. Initially, the onset is usually marked by workers or unemployed, dissatisfied, striking and/or disaffected rioters in the streets. This inevitably leads to clashes with the police/government agencies or civil agencies, with destruction of police/government/agency property like the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. Combined with the inevitable casualties/deaths, food supply shortages, a disastrous economic situation and existing disapproval of the reigning monarch, president or dictator, this is known as the “boiling point.”
The reigning monarch, president or dictator then unleashes the national army/armed forces upon the populace/rioters in an attempt to quell the unrest. As a last act of desperation, the monarch, president or dictator discharges the government (if one exists) and runs the risk of the national army/armed forces joining the rioters. With the disposing, abdication or exile of the reigning monarch, president or dictator, there is then no leader, ruler or existing government to prevent the onset of marked internal disorder.
The scene is then set for a new revolutionary leader or leaders to seize the vacated government offices and urban centers and/or set up a new political asset (insurrection). Revolutionary leaders are not born. They “seize the day” of vacuous opportunity precipitating a winner-takes-all scenario (civil war). And the beat goes on. Leo Crowley
Faceless fascists
Bronx: Not even the Gestapo wore masks like these ICE punks. Like Pogo said, we have met the enemy and he is us. Edwin Garcia
Militarized enforcement
Sunnyside: To Voicer Tom Ascher: Let me explain the difference between Barack Obama’s and President Trump’s deportations. Obama just went about his job and didn’t send untrained, uneducated wannabe stormtroopers into cities to intimidate people with tremendous shows of force. They actually look like invading combat troops coming down the block. Bullies always want to be the bigger bully. Daniel Mckevitt
Agreed
Malverne, L.I.: To Voicer Tony Giametta: You, my friend, are 1,000% correct that local officials in Minnesota should have tried to lower tensions and cooperate with federal efforts. However, keep in mind that mainstream media will never let facts get in the way of their agenda or a good story! Dave Kalin
Song silence
Brooklyn: Re “Bruce Springsteen releases ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ protest song” (Jan. 28): Did Springsteen write a song about the rape and murder of Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant, or the countless other women raped and murdered by illegal immigrants? Did he write a song about the four-year invasion of our country by illegal immigrants? Did he write a song about the cost to America and American taxpayers for warehousing illegal immigrants who couldn’t support themselves? A song about the invasion of a church by protestors as they infringed the First Amendment rights of its worshippers? A song about that poor ICE officer who was nearly killed as Renee Good struck him with her vehicle? Bruce claims to be a man of the people, but what he actually is is a limousine liberal trapped in his ivory tower, throwing a blind eye to the hardships that everyday Americans are facing. David DiBello
Prove it
Lakewood, N.J.: To Voicer John Honas: You nailed it. Americans (at least the sane ones) are tired of the orange buffoon. The blue wave has already begun in local elections. Donny the Liar endorsed several GOP candidates. Once they lost, he claimed he didn’t know anything about them. The beat goes on. It’s time to start calling him out. I wish the reporters who interview him would state just two words when another lie comes out of his vile mouth: “Prove it.” Prove that you stopped eight wars. If the Epstein files are a Democratic hoax, prove that you weren’t part of them. Prove that you’ve lowered food prices. Prove that votes were stolen from you in the 2020 election. Prove that you have an actual plan to lower health care costs. Prove that you don’t have dementia. If you can’t, please go away. Your credibility is below ambergris. Frank Mongiello
There for the taking
Itasca, Ill.: Col. George Taylor, an astronaut played by Charlton Heston in the original 1968 “Planet of the Apes” movie, is musing over primitive, slow-witted humans toiling in a field. He turns to a fellow astronaut and proclaims, “If this is the best they’ve got around here, in six months we’ll be running this planet.” After 2025, I wonder if China is saying the same about America. Jim Newton
Hope for Hicks
Manhattan: The best news of 2026 is that Cardinal Timothy Dolan is retiring (“The cardinal lauds New York,” op-ed, Feb. 1). Unless you were a person of wealth and/or power (like a politician, celebrity, journalist, etc.) or were someone involved in a newsworthy situation that would get him some positive media exposure, you didn’t exist! While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side. To them, he will be remembered as a cold, heartless businessman and a shamefully unkind man of the cloth who focused way too much on socializing, traveling and furthering his own agenda. Hopefully, Archbishop Ronald Hicks, by adopting a more pastoral style, will be able to regain the respect and admiration the position so rightfully deserves. Good riddance to Dolan, and a hearty warm welcome to Hicks. Susie Coleman
Strike a deal
Fresh Meadows: New York is watching as the largest nurses strike in the history of our city drags through its fourth week. Since Jan. 12, approximately 15,000 New York State Nurses Association nurses walked off the job at major hospitals like NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai and Montefiore. This isn’t some union publicity stunt. It’s frontline workers demanding the minimum conditions needed to deliver safe care: safe staffing standards that are enforced, protections against workplace violence, and benefits that aren’t gutted. NYSNA is also fighting for nurses to get better pay. Those aren’t luxuries, they’re basic guardrails for patient safety and nurse retention. Gov. Hochul implored the hospitals to work out a deal, saying on Jan. 9 that a strike “could jeopardize the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and patients.” The prescription is simple: give the nurses what they want. John Bulik
Cold-hearted
Scarborough, N.Y.: Mayor Mamdoomi’s “leave ’em on the streets” homeless policy is just a hint of the damage this clueless idiot will inflict on NYC over the next four years. Just wait until he gleefully starts cutting police, firefighters and correction officers. Thomas F. Comiskey
Amazing courtship
Bronx: A two-hour drive with my daughter to Hartford, Conn., was rewarded with a chance to watch Azzi Fudd lead the undefeated UConn Huskies to victory over Tennessee. She’s a complete player — a floor general who excels on both sides of the ball. Fans saw her score 27 points, assist on seven baskets and take down seven rebounds. Fudd also had two steals and forced her opponents into turnovers the entire game. She’s done this with smooth consistency all season, letting the quality of her game speak for itself. Basketball brilliance turned this frigid afternoon into a hot Fudd Sunday. Fred Smith
