Political Theatre category archive
DOGE Bull and the Rule of Lawless 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Jim Jones explains why he is concerned how Elon Musk’s DOGE has been sweeping up data from federal agencies in violation of laws designed to protect the privacy of citizens’ day. Methinks he raises legitmate concerns. Here’s a couple of snippets from his piece:
(snip)
There is great concern that the targeting of migrants with the powerful master database could be a test run for using that system against U.S. citizens who oppose Trump policies.
The Crypto Conman 0
Aside:
As far as I can tell, crypto is the most fiat of fiat currencies.
The Dolly Parting 0
Seth takes a closer look at Donald Trump’s becoming obsessed with the idea that children only need one or two dolls as a response to his tariffs leading to higher costs and shortages.
A Tune for the Times 0
(Warning: Short commercial at about the one minute mark.)
Suffer the Children 0
That’s not scriptture. That’s a Republican family value.
Tit for Tat 0
At Above the Law, Mark Hermann imagines what a left-leaning “Project 2025” (he calls it “Project 2029”) might look like. A snippet:
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
At the Bangor Daily News, Matthew Diana highlights the hypocrisy.
The Photo Slop 0
The Rude One recaps Donald Trump’s “Mess with the Press” interview for those of us who have given up on television news. (Warning: Language, and lots of it.)
The Rule of Scofflaw 0
Farron points out that Donald Trump has admitted that he’s not complying with the Supreme Court’s order to repatriate Kilmar Abgrego Garcia because he doesn’t want to.
The New Isolationism 0
By imposing his tariffs, Trump is, for all practical purposes, putting the United States behind a self-imposed isolationist blockade.
Michael in Norfolk runs the numbers. A snippet:
Because isolationism worked so well the last time . . . .
Proper Channels 0
Bloomberg’s Beth Kowitt notes that “the bureaucracy is an easy target in dis coarse discourse, but, despite its bad reputation, it is, in fact, a good thing. Here’s bit from her article (emphasis added):
It’s the framework that provides the hierarchy and formalized rules that help an institution run. “The opposite of bureaucracy is not freedom and agility – it’s chaos,” says Mike Lee, a professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD. “When you remove all the formal structures, things become opaque, less fair and power concentrates at the top.” Exhibit A: DOGE, which has managed to create more turmoil in the federal government than it has efficiency.
I spent most of my career working in a large organization. I can attest from my own experience that she makes some excellent points.
While on the subject, I recently had to renew my driver’s license. It took far too long. But it didn’t take too long because of the persons working at the DMV office I used. They were all working very hard, calling the next person as soon as they were finished with the previous one.
Either it was an exceptionally busy day or they are understaffed. If the latter, be clear: they did not understaff themselves.
The Fantasy World 0
Methinks a viable case can be made that Donald Trump (along with the Trumpettes) lives in his own alternative reality.
The Rule of Lawless 0
Sam and Emma talk with Elie Mystal about why some low firms and universities are capitulating to Donald Trump’s demands.
