Political Theatre category archive
For Sale 0
In the words of the immortal Yogurt, “It’s the merchandising.”
All That Was Old Is New Again 1
Despite what Republicans would have you believe, magickal thinking does not work.
There is no magic; there is only the con.
Collapse of Creed 0
Samuel H. McGill, president emeritus of Monmouth University, is not optimistic. He sees domestic dominoes falling.
In my view it is the erosion of commitment to this creed in the United States that explains much of our current political and social malaise. It explains the polarization of the public into self-justifying political “bubbles,” political entities unwilling to hear or speak to each other without ascribing the most base motives to the other. A sense of common cause no longer resides in the ideology of conflicting parties. What has evolved is a quest for absolute power by self-righteous combatants.
I would point out that, in my observation, the “quest for absolute power by self-righteous combatants” applies much more to one party than to the other. After all, in American history, only one party has ever made the absolute failure of an elected President its policy goal.
Do please read the rest.
“Self-Love” 0
Der Spiegel takes a close look at what makes the Donald tick. A snippet:
At the end of the chapter called “Revenge,” Trump advises his readers to constantly seek to take revenge. “Always make a list of people who hurt you. Then sit back and wait for the appropriate time to get revenge. When they least expect it, go after them with a vengeance. Go for their jugular.”
One Thing Is Not Like the Other Thing 0
I’ve found that many persons don’t understand that “compromise” means you don’t always get what you want.
Outside Agitators 0
They aren’t who you think they are.
Ryan’s Derp 0
Francis Wilkinson wonders whether the Republican Party’s presidential victory may turn out to be Paul Ryan’s comeuppance. Here’s a key bit from his column:
(snip)
Like others before him — students at “Trump University,” investors in bankrupt Trump casinos — Ryan thought he could piggyback on Trump’s self-interest. Trump would get the White House. Ryan would get his ambitious agenda: large tax cuts for the wealthy, huge spending cuts in anti-poverty programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid, and the replacement of Obamacare with a less-regulated system that reduces subsidies for the needy, leaving millions without reliable access to health care.
The tax cuts still seem certain. But Trump keeps mucking up the Obamacare business so profoundly that it’s hard to see how Ryan can extricate himself from the mess.
However this plays out, it’s going to be a long four years. I suspect that this is the best we can hope for.
Your Lyin’ Ears 0
The Seattle Times’s Donald Westneat offers a strategy for avoiding a Trumpling. A snippet (emphasis added):
I’m not saying don’t be engaged. I’m also not saying one can’t pause to celebrate that Friday’s inauguration is yet another peaceful transfer of democratic power.
I’m saying only this: Don’t listen to what he says.
I realized this when his own spokesperson of all people recently advised that we shouldn’t judge Trump by “what comes out of his mouth.”
Breathe Easy 0
The country is safe until Monday.
Twits on Twitter 0
Columnist Bob Franken marvels at the bully’s pulpit. A snippet:
Unfiltered, Unrefined 0
In the Portland Press-Herald, Chet Lunner discusses the difference between “news” and “fake news” (AKA lies). A snippet:
Here’s how information via Twitter reaches its audience. Somebody types it into their smartphone and hits a button.