Political Theatre category archive
Mulling Mueller, Reprise 0
At Above the Law, Joe Patrice argues convincingly that many of the initial reactions to the Mueller report are getting it wrong. Folks who had been hoping that Robert Mueller would turn into a Fairy Godfather and give them a magic pumpkin have been disappointed and are gnashing their teeth in frustration, without reflection.
The “without reflection” bit is the important bit; reflection is called for.
Here’s part of what he has to say about Attorney-General Barr’s “summary” letter (emphasis added):
This matters because a description of Mueller’s “decision” that reads much closer to “As discussed, making a determination on this issue would exceed my mandate so I have made the decision to present the evidence I found without making a determination one way or the other,” would make for a very different hearing before the House.
The whole thing is worth your while.
Russian Impulses, Mulling Mueller Dept. 0
Methinks Ed over at Gin and Tacos makes a good point.
I also commend Shaun Mullen’s take on it to your attention.
Afterthought:
It is unquestionable that Russia worked surreptitiously (and sometimes titiously) to promote Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency. It also seems likely that there was some coordination with various Trump flunkies and family members (the Trump Tower meeting being the most prominent indicator thereof). Nevertheless, one question has nagged me throughout all this (and may account for my not devoting as many electrons to the Mueller investigation as some others have), and I have finally figured out what it is:
To conspire with someone requires taking him or her into your confidence, at least to a degree.
If you were a wily operative like Vladimir Putin, would you take a buffoon like Donald Trump into your confidence?
How To Deal with a Threatened Trumpling 0
Spocko offers a case study.
Twits on Twitter 0
PoliticalProf anticipates the purity twits.
A Tune for the Times 0
Say hello to Devin Nunes’ Cow (warning: language).
Freedom of Screech 0
Ed at Gin and Tacos considers “deplatforming.” A snippet:
It’s worth the 30 seconds of your time that it will take to read the rest.
The Entitlement Society 0
Thom’s guest, Vicky Ward, argues that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are no Ken and Barbie.
A Gamed System 0
The Founders argued that the Electoral College would prevent incompetent persons from becoming president. In the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton asserted that
Clearly, the Founders were, as my old boss used to say, “in error.”
Twits on Twitter 0
The Rude One comments on our Out-of-Control-Twit-in-Chief (warning: rudeness).
“Say It Ain’t So, Joe” 2
As much as I liked and respected Joe Biden as a Senator, I agree with Shaun.
Heck, there are already too many Democrats testing the presidential waters (not to mention that entitled snowflake, the Man Who Ruined Coffee) and it’s still way too early . . . .
Sometimes, I find myself nostalgic for the smoke-filled rooms.
It’s the American Way 0
Tony Norman looks at the college admission cheating scandal and argues that, once you look past the patriotic propaganda, cheating is woven into the fabric of America. Here’s a nugget:
We’re even cheating the future by saddling coming generations of Americans with trillions of dollars of debt to finance obscene tax cuts for the wealthy. Our descendants will also inherit a much-degraded environment because the political party most devoted to protecting the interests of the rich doesn’t believe in climate science.
More at the link.