I need to talk with you about events beyond autism today

Cold Open [into silence]

Friend, I haven't done this before. Usually I talk autism & neurodiversity with you. But I'm very concerned about events unfolding this weekend...

I've seen these patterns emerge before. In other countries. Authoritarian countries¹.

I have no plan of action to suggest. It's happening too fast for me to process… in my slow, deep AuDHD² way.

All I could think to do… is share my concerns with friends who care.

[Music 8 bars]

Intro

Welcome to Trigger Warnings… a new project of AutisticAF Out Loud podcast.I'm Johnny Profane. Your fiercely divergent guide to what's actually happening in the news.Gimme 10 minutes? I'll give you my neurodivergent world.

Today: Military deployments in two cities, legal challenges mounting, and one burning question: Are we witnessing democratic norms under assault in real time?

For an ever deeper dive, I’ve included footnotes and further reading in the transcript on subStack.

Content Note: civil unrest, military deployment, law enforcement actions, concerns about democratic institutions + experiences & opinions of one autistic voice... in my 70s.

Podcast

Friend,

I haven't done this before. Usually I talk autism & neurodiversity with you.

But I'm very concerned about events unfolding this weekend... and a fair number of you have asked for my neurodivergent take on larger national & global issues.

So, after thinking long & hard... about risks.. I still must share.

This weekend, federal agents raided workplaces across Los Angeles County. They arrested 121 people³.

Protests followed. Police responded with tear gas⁴ & rubber bullets against demonstrators⁵.

On Saturday, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard⁶ troops to Los Angeles County. On questionable Constitutional grounds⁷. As the Supreme Court recessed.

His administration called the protests an "insurrection⁸." And threatened to deploy Marines⁹.

At the same time, Washington D.C. is filling with military equipment.7 million pounds of hardware¹⁰.28 tanks. 70 tons each¹¹.Rocket launchers.7,000 military personnel¹².

This equipment arrived by train from Texas. It now sits near the National Mall¹³.

Officials say this is for an Army anniversary parade celebrating Trump's birthday¹⁴.

The largest military display in the capital in decades.

These events happen as Trump faces significant legal challenges. Courts have blocked over 180 of his administration's initiatives¹⁵.

Governor Newsom called the Los Angeles deployment "purposefully inflammatory." He said it would "escalate tensions¹⁶."

[Music 8 bars… overlapping 4 second break in speech]

I find the timing troubling.

Military force against protesters in one city. Unprecedented massive military assets staged in the capital. Simultaneous with significant legal pressure & civil unrest.

All within 72-hours.

These are documented facts. They concern me deeply.

I've seen these patterns emerge before. In other countries. Authoritarian countries.

False crises involving vulnerable targets… like migrants… as victims. Used as a fig leaf for declaring martial law¹⁷.

I have no plan of action to suggest. It's happening too fast for me to process… in my slow, deep AuDHD way.

All I could think to do… is share my concerns with friends who care.

Maybe you too?

[Music 8 bars]

Outro

Trigger Warnings is a new project of AutisticAF Out Loud. Reporting on real-world issues, from a neurodivergent perspective.

We often recognize patterns others miss. In times like these, that perspective? Essential.

If this podcast resonates, share it. The more the world hears neurodivergent voices, the greater my hopes for our future.

We believe no one should have to pay to be autistic. Many neurodivergent people can't afford subscription content.

Your Ko-Fi tip of any amount helps keep this resource free for them.

Or join our paid subscriber community at johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com for ongoing support. Links in description.

A big shoutout to my wife, Kimmie, for her great song, Freedom Blvd. That link is in the description, too.

[Music]

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