Political Theatre category archive
The Russian Sessions 0
Excerpt:
The ambassador from Russia is a Russian.
(I composed the above yesterday. Since then, there has been a development.)
Via C&L.
You Can Vouch for It 0
A North Carolina legislator who once supported school vouchers decides that was a mistake. A snippet:
Frankly, I think “mistake” is not a correct word choice.
Vouchers originated as an strategy to divert public money into private pockets. More accurate terms, such as “con” and “scam,” spring to mind.
The Core Belief of Today’s Republican Party 0
There is no such thing as the public good. Q. E. D.
The No-Show 0
Donald Trump, in a fit of pique (does he have any other kind of fits?) is skipping the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Dick Polman thinks this is a good thing. Here’s a nugget from his article:
Trump’s game plan (sold to him by his tutor, Steve Bannon) is to delegitimize the press. Attending the dinner would’ve legitimized it. Playing the good sport, being the butt of jokes about Russia (and so much else) would’ve legitimized the revelatory stories.
Do please read the rest.
Know Them by the Company They Keep 0
Shaun Mullin gives an example.
Town Halls of Horrors 0
At another internet place I frequent, a discussion of Republican Congresspersons’ town halls has been going on the past few days. Someone from another country known for its cheese and roast beef requested clarification. I like my response so much that I will share it. You can follow this link for the full discussion.
- This should give you plenty of reading material.
The short version is that it’s a relatively recent tradition that US Congresscritters during extended recesses hold open meetings for constituents. These are commonly referred to as “town halls,” though they are not town halls in any sense related to municipal governance.
During the February recess (which can be recognized by the fact that Congresscritters are doing nothing in their districts, as opposed to doing nothing in Washington, D. C.), these meetings have not been going well for some Congresscritters, particularly those who have committed to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Some have ducked out of, restricted attendance to, or canceled these meetings because they do not want to converse with or be confronted by constituents opposed to their points of view.
In the US, this is referred to as “representative government.”
An Annointment with Destiny 0
Garrison Keillor explains.
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses
Oh, Forget It, Reprise
0
The Des Moines Register’s Rekha Basu is disheartened at the Trumpling of immigrants and refugees. Here’s a snippet from her column:
Do please read the rest.
Plus Ca Change 0
Dick Polman has seen it all before.