Political Theatre category archive
Flirtation 0
Der Spiegel takes a look at what’s happening in the United States and–er–voices concerns. A snippet (emphasis added):
From the German perspective, of course, the comparison seems farfetched. In February, 1933, the National Socialists used the fire in Berlin’s Reichstag building as an excuse to issue the “Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State.” This essentially meant the suspension of the Weimar-era constitution and the beginning of the Nazi dictatorship.
The U.S. is far away from that. The system of checks and balances is a long way from being defanged and opposition is lively, as the streets in recent days have shown. In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have a solid majority and both Washington and New York are home to newspapers that wield tremendous power.
But the president is flirting with authoritarianism. And his party is following along.
Follow the link for the rest.
Yes, It Can Happen Here
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Thom is not optimistic.
“Where’s Waldo?” 0
At Above the Law, Elizabeth Dye notes that Donald Trump seems confused about a lot of things as to where he maintains his legal domicile.
The Grievance Train 0
Sam and his caller discuss the irrationality of equating a stay-at-home order during a pandemic with slavery or internment camps.
The Eye of the Beholder 0
One of the lessons of history is that a simmering pot eventually boils over. Too often, it boils over to no effect other than a messy stove top. We are at one of those boiling over points now.
It’s up to the polity–what’s left of it–to determine whether we will turn off the burner or simply clean up the stove top while leaving the pot to simmer until the next boiling over point.
Image via Job’s Anger.
A Divider, Not a Uniter 0
SeattlePI columnist John Connelly looks at the recent riots in reaction to the killing of (yet another) black man for being black. He points out that this is but one in a long series eruptions in the history of white American racism and the legacy of America’s original sin.
Here’s a snippet:
No antidote for endemic racism has been found, not even the election of a Black president. The man who succeeded him spread to falsehood that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. It “spikes” with periodic killings by police. The news media cover protests and riots, but give far less attention to what makes even nonviolent protesters angry.
We’re badly equipped for this spike. President Donald Trump is a deliberate divider, going so far as to encourage violence. . . .”
Return No to “Normal”
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Werner Herzog’s Bear does not want to go back to “normal.” A snippet:
Follow the link for the entire piece.
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
Thom comments on the double standard.
An Impotent Poseur? 0
Steven M. is darkly optimistic.
Methinks he has a point; his prediction is consistent with precedent.
