Political Theatre category archive
An Off the Rails Reality Check 0
I am not sanguine.
Twits on Twitter 0
Timothy Lydon is less than optimistic about the effects of our anti-social media.
The “Not Me” President 0
Doyle McManus stands amazed at Donald Trump’s ability to find someone else to blame for everything all the time.
Cruising on Cruz Can Troll 0
Warning: Mild language.
The Vacuum 0
At the Portland Oregonian, Steve Duin muses on the many differences between a true wartime leader and the wannabe. A nugget:
Because Trump lacks focus and empathy, the White House briefings invariably take a mean and sullen turn. At the onset, we are on common ground, seeking reassurance and precious honesty about the battle at hand.
After a maddeningly robotic opening, the president abandons us. He has scores to settle, ratings to celebrate, snake oil to sell. Trump is never more animated and aggressive than when he wanders off script to belittle reporters, belabor grudges, brag about mythical travel restrictions, or highlight the corruption – unsubstantiated, of course – in vote-by-mail.
Lowering the Barr 0
And the Barr is already pretty damn low.
The Disinformation Superhighway 0
Trudy Rubin advises us to vet our sources carefully in these viral times.
“It’s Every Man for Himself” 0
Dylan Selterman argues forcefully that the disparate reactions to the coronavirus that have filled the news–hoarding food and supplies, purposefully defying “social distancing,” emphasize ‘the tragedy of the commons,” which he defines as follows:
(snip)
But when too many people focus on maximizing their own outcomes, then essential resources become depleted and society suffers.
This is an era when one of our two major political parties no longer believes in the common good.
The Privatization Scam 0
Scott Maxwell tells the tale of a highway project in Orlando, Florida, in which it looks as if the primary thing being privatized is the public’s money. Here’s a bit:
It turns out they’re doing neither.
Part of the project is already a year behind schedule. Five workers have been killed. More than 1,000 drivers and property owners have filed claims for everything from misplaced barrels to chunks of concrete that fell through windshields.
And now there are $125 million in overruns — with no guarantee there won’t be more.
