Political Theatre category archive
The Trumpled Welcome 0
As a nation, we are well on the way to pariah status.
Base Desires 0
Josh Marshall considers why Donald Trump and his dupes, symps, and fellow travelers keep getting off. A snippet:
If the constituency doesn’t care, the accused will be fine.
I’ve seen several complaints this morning that the news media has failed to hold President Trump to account for the multiple allegations against him ranging from inappropriate touching to assault and rape. I think this is wrong. We’ve seen a clear pattern playing out in all the allegations about sexual misconduct and the firings, resignations and apologies which have followed in their wake. The consequences track entirely to the constituency – either political, commercial or corporate – the accused serves and depend on.Follow the link for the rest.
The Bully’s Pulpit 0
Robert Reich is more optimistic than I.
Flights of Fancy 0
Daniel Ruth goes off on a wing and a boondoggle.
Behind the Hoopla 0
Foon Rhee is concerned that Donald Trump’s daily trollish behavior is distracting the public and the media from the concrete effects he is having on government and governance. Here’s a bit:
And while Trump railed against Obama’s executive orders during the campaign, he has issued nearly twice as many so far and is on the second fastest pace of any president in the last 50 years, behind only Dwight Eisenhower.
In Security 0
I tend to be skeptical when persons raise concerns about “national security.” Too often that phrase is used to either intrude illegitimately into areas that are nobody’s business or to hide official misconduct or, perhaps more often, official acts of stupid.
Nevertheless, “national security” is a real thing and ignoring or weakening it costs blood and treasure, as when President George the Worst ignored warnings that Osama Bin Laden was determined to attack the U. S.
In The Guardian, Jeffrey H. Smith argues that Donald Trump and his administration are inimical to legitimate national security. Here’s an excerpt:
Second, some of his actions and utterances are so far outside the bounds of responsible presidential conduct that many professionals who serve in the national security agencies lack confidence in him as commander-in-chief. Much damage has been done and whether it can be repaired, and if so how, is not clear.
Do please follow the link.
The Trumpled Polls 0
Farron runs the numbers.
Empty Suits 0
Why does David Brooks still have a job?
Moore Trumpling 0
Dick Polman examines the implications of Donald Trump’s decision to endorse “Judge” Roy Moore in Alabama. He notes some that others have overlooked:
This was also the gist of his message:
Women and black people are not believable. If women say they were molested or harassed or assaulted, don’t believe them. If Barack Obama, via his birth certificate, proves he was born in America, don’t believe him. If the Central Park Five (black teens who denied raping a white jogger) are ultimately vindicated and exonerated by DNA evidence, don’t believe them. But if a white, right-wing man “totally denies” serial behavior deemed repugnant by society, believe him.
Suffer the Children 0
It’s policy in the coming Republican dystopia.
Details at the link.
A Poll Tax by Any Other Name . . . 0
. . . is a poll tax.