From Pine View Farm

Political Theatre category archive

Sauce for the Goose? 0

The Rude One responds, How about some sauce for the gander?

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“This Fact-Starved Environment” 0

David talks with Bill Adair, Professor of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University and founder of the fact-checking site PolitiFact, about the proliferation of lies and lying liars and about news media’s refusal failure to call them out.

This is truly a worthwhile listen.

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The Neighbor Hood 0

At the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Maxwell King argues that Mr. Rogers would probably look soomewhat askance were Donald Trump to move into his neighborhood. Here’s a bit:

The thing Rogers abhorred more than anything was a bully. He felt there was nothing so despicable as a figure of power bullying a lesser figure. He made that point in numerous lessons he crafted for the children in his audience.

The recent sight from the White House Oval Office — two of the most powerful people in the world ganging up to berate and humiliate a struggling war hero trying to save his country from an invading force — chilled viewers all around the world. What would Fred Rogers have made of that?

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A Tune for the Times 0

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Unfriended 0

Caption:  State of the Union.  Image:  Donald Trump on the rear platform of a train car lebeled

Click for the original image.

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All That Was Old Is New Again 0

Thom argues that Donald Trump is bringing back the spoils system. (And, yes, it was Garfield.)

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A Tune for the Times 0

From the Youtube page:

One of our favourite Coldplay songs is “Viva La Vida” – with its nod to Frida Kahlo, its lavish strings, its rotation and roar, its bells and history, and its heel-thumping singalong harmonic personality. It means “Long Live Life” and was released in 2008.

Our version takes the sense of history, the pain, the trauma, and the notion of world rule, and applies it to the most disgusting media spectacle to date – with already several to choose from – of the new US administration. Like many around the world, as well as disheartened friends in the US, we watched the undignified ambush of Zelensky’s trip to the White House with dismay and pity. It was a very unbecoming sight – just at a human level – even without all the higher stakes, deals, implications, and nightmares unfolding as another win is handed to Putin, and more pressure placed on Ukraine.

Like many we are hoping for a miraculous path forward that can somehow turn Trump’s intensity into an outcome that can transform into a lasting peace – but given how misdirected the fury and energy and narrative is at the moment, it’s quite hard to see it turning out other than a quickfire US withdrawal of support. If that happens, we’re in a cowardly new world.

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“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0

Another person hears that rhyme from Munich 87 years ago.

And, in possibly related news, Field has a wonder.

__________________

*Mark Twain.

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The Patriot Gamer 0

Donald Trump stands at a podium.  Teleprompters in front of him read

Click to view the original image.

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When Fiction Becomes Reality 0

At The Philadelphia Inquirer, Kathryn Grossman makes a strong case that, under the Trump maladministration, we are being transported into the world of George Orwell’s 1984.

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The Deserter 0

Der Spiegel takes an in-depth look at Donald Trump’s decision to abandon America’s allies, as illustrated by his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A snippet (emphasis added):

It would be naïve to view the spat between Trump and Zelenskyy last week, broadcast on live television from the Oval Office, as a dispute over the details of a possible peace deal. The rupture was so unique because it showed the entire world that the U.S. under Donald Trump no longer wants to be the leader of the free world. The country that lost more than 250,000 soldiers in World War II to protect Europe from fascism is suddenly displaying a degree of moral indifference that has left its allies gasping for breath.

Methinks it safe to say that, under America, America is no longer “a shining city on a hill,” to quote Ronald Reagan.

What it seems to be becoming gives me shudders.

And methinks it is influenced in great part by the legacy of America’s original sin of chattel slavery.

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Coming Attractions 0

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Responsible Fiscals 0

Planes falling from the sky onto a world in chaos as Elon Must, holding chainsaw labeled

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The Rule of Flaw 0

At Above the Law, Kathryn Rubino interprets the inducement to incitement.

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A Tune for the Times 0

Warninng: Short promo from minute one to minute two.

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If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0

Trump and Zelensky siting together in the White House.  Reporter ask Zelensky,

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Snake of the Union 0

Jimmy Kimmel recaps Donald Trump’s recent speech to Congress.

Via C&L, which has commentary.

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Name Gamers 0

At the Tampa Bay Times, Daniel Ruth notes that Republicans’ fascination with renaming things has reached the Florida legislature, so he offers several suggestions. Here’s just one of them; follow the link for the others.

We could rename the thoroughfare outside Trump’s cheesy resort the Convicted Felon Freeway.

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A Toon for the Times 0

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Fingers in Their Ears 0

Farron observes that some elected Republican officials are making excuses so as not to have to listen to their constituents if those constituents have the temerity to take exception to the actions of Dear Leader.

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