Political Theatre category archive
All That Was Old Is New Again 0
As the Booman said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.”
At the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, a veteran of the Nixon administration sees some similarities between Donald Trump and Richard Nixon; here’s a snippet:
Afterthought:
Remember that the Watergate scandal sprung from Nixon’s paranoia, his fear that he would lose an election that he already had in the bag. Were it not for that paranoia and the misdeeds it engendered, Richard Nixon would be remembered much more favorably than he is.
How Stuff Works, Trumpling Reality Dept. 0
Pandora recognizes the formula:
Lying in a reality show leads to drama, and drama increases ratings. Real World, any of the Real Housewives series, The Apprentice, The Bachelor, etc. all have a standard formula. It goes like this:
- Put a group of people together
- Let the different personalities mingle
- Conflict will arise between two people
- The others will choose sides
- Lies will be spread – lies that benefit/hurt each side
- Drama = fights
- Two episodes later everyone is getting along
- Rinse and repeat
More reality at the link.
All That Was Old Is New Again 0
The Booman points out, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes.”
When Does a Pot Become a Kettle? 0
Josh Marshall wonders just how “unsubstantiated” an “allegation” must be for the media to call it a lie.
Institution Flailure 0
Josh Marshall steps back for a closer look at the Trump wiretapping scamdal. A snippet:
I would say that this ability – both the President’s pathological lying and our institution’s inability to grapple with it – is the big, big story. The particulars of the accusation basically pale in comparison.
Deep Thoughts 0
David Spence tries to demystify the “deep state,” which has been much in the headlines these latter days, by pointing out there is, indeed, no such thing. Rather, there are civil servants who are trying to do their jobs, lately in the face of opposition from certain officials who would rather they not. Here’s a key paragraph (emphasis added).
All Guns, No Ifs, Ands, or Butter 0
Will Bunch considers Donald Trump’s budget proposal. He does not like what it portends. Here’s a bit (emphasis added):
Because war is just what authoritarians do. So is this budget — a tinhorn dictator budget, the budget of an immature boy-king who’s in love with the cold steel of tanks but has zero empathy for America’s humanity, let alone the National Endowment for the Humanities.
