Political Theatre category archive
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
At the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Denis Knock wonders, “What’s in a name-calling?”
A Tune for the Times 0
Mangy comments at the Youtube page:
If Donald Trump is successful in stealing the election in 2024, he will likely view his second inauguration as a royal coronation into his new position as King/Dictator for Life. Americans could suddenly lose the majority of freedoms they’ve long enjoyed, such as the right to criticize the government, the right to self determination, the right to travel at will, the right to own property, the right to choose their leaders, the right to personal autonomy, the right to free association, the right to read what they want, the right to fair trials by their peers, and on and on. Trump would be, as promised, a dictator on day one, and also on all days that follow. Pledges of loyalty to Trump will be REQUIRED. Children will be expected to tell authorities if their parents aren’t sufficiently true to Trump. Trump will replace Jesus, Buddha, and Allah as the required subject of adoration and reverence in churches. Jokes about Trump will land folks in prison or the cemetery and songs that are unflattering to him will be forbidden. Those who are more popular, smarter, funnier, more skilled, more articulate, more creative, more handsome, or command more attention and love than Trump, like Taylor Swift. Stephen Colbert, Stephen King, or Alexander Vindman, will be exiled, fined or imprisoned for ‘stealing attention away from Trump. All of this would be consistent with life under a narcissistic sociopath like Trump.
Mangy Fetlocks was imagining the forced displays of fealty and reverence that Trump’s shock forces would likely be required to organize, mimicking the displays that are often put on for other dictators like Kim Jong Un or Vladimir Putin.
The Hunt for Hunter 0
Thom dissects the misdirection play.
A Tune for the Times 0
Mangy points out that it’s probably not a good idea to hand out with the wrong people.
“I Know You Are But What Am I?” 0
Although she’s talking about individuals in personal relationships, I think that Stephanie A. Sarkis’s piece about how toxic people use projection as a defense mechanism applies to how toxic public figures do so in dis coarse discourse. Here’s one of the tactics she lists:
Toxic people excel at deflecting blame. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they project their faults onto others, making them the scapegoats for the toxic person’s mistakes.
Follow the link for the others.
In Memoriam 0
Archie Bunker was intended to be an exemplar of ignorance.
Lear never expected him to become a icon of ignorant ignoramuses intent on increasing intolerance.
Aside:
Norman Lear founded People for the American Way.
I support it and you should too.
Deceptive by Definition 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Randy Stapilus notes that, in Right-Wing Wonderland, words mean what they–right-wingers, that is–want them to mean.
The Mussolini Mimic 0
Seth dissects the desire to dictate.
The Squeaker of the House 0
. . . foments disorder in the House.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Sam discusses our deplorable political news coverage.
A Quibble:
I do not endorse Sam’s comments about Biden and Hamas. In particular, I disagree with Sam’s claim that Biden is “completely enabling” Netanyahu’s tactics.
Expressing support for the existence of Israel, which is what Biden has done, is not “enabling” Netanyahu’s tactics. Netanyahu would do what he is doing with or without Biden’s support for the existence of Israel.
I also deplore the deaths of civilians in Gaza and in Israel. But I think it’s delusional to think that the U. S. is either responsible for or could have prevented them.
But that’s just me. (And international history was not my field. My field was U. S. Southern.)
But I think Sam’s primary message regarding dis coarse discourse is spot on.