Many (if not most) of us have been thinking recently, more than we ever expected to, about the nature of tyranny, authoritarianism, and imperialism. And it seems to me that, in the simplest of terms, they most often derive from a combination of greed, narcissism driven by a deep-seated insecurity, and a resultant need to prove oneself superior.

And it is that insecurity that will get them in the end. As British author J.K. Rowling wrote:

“Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do! Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one who rises against them and strikes back!”

– J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”

And that realization, in turn, impels them to continue along the path to what they see as their only means of self-preservation, but is in reality the seed of their ultimate destruction.

All that is needed now is that one — or the many — with the courage to rise up and strike back.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/21/26