Authoritarianism’s Water Carriers

Every social disorder needs them

Above: A Water Carrier, painting by William Henry Hunt, courtesy the Tate Gallery

Consider that a society struggling with authoritarianism has its ‘water carriers,’ those who devote time and energy for removing confidence in restoring lawfulness, the infrastructure of social order. One likes to think that their collective careers are devoted to an individual, a dictator, an autocrat. However, their influence is based on the fragility of decency, normalcy and governance. Chaos is their ‘cup overfloweth.’

Laws are for suckers.

Here’s a run-down of a few water carriers, who under advice of counsel refuse (or presumably will) to offer testimony on their knowledge of and involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the verification of Joseph Biden Jr. as 46th President of the United States:

Steve Bannon

Bernard Kerik

Alex Jones

Mike Flynn

Mark Meadows

Jeffrey Clark

Rudy Giuliani

Sidney Powell

Roger Stone

Alan Dershowitz

Rep. Jim Jordan

Rep. Scott Perry

Some are being pursued for ‘criminal intent,’ of what one is not yet sure, and seeking legal loopholes and safe harbors as they scramble. White collar jails can’t hold back their influence. For their devotees punishment is martyr-worthy. Popular call-in radio hosts receive call-ins from law offices and prison pay phones. Salacious detail-seeking publishing mongers are ‘on hold.’

Some water carriers are hunkering down with legal teams, schooled in ‘Executive Privilege’ and 5th Amendment minutiae. Some are doing brunch with PR types seeking followers slash donors to ‘the cause.’ One overhears “you have a story to tell,” often spoken in a loud voice.

We, who listen, are in thrall anxiously awaiting ‘public hearings’…whatever that means.

January 3