Political Theatre category archive
“The Good Old Days” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Eva M. Krockow takes a look at what she calls “declinism,” which I would loosely describe as the notion that the world is going to hell in a handbasket coupled with a yearning for the mythical good old days. She suggests that this feeling is can be fed by news reporting, which quite naturally focuses on stuff that goes wrong, and by politicians seeking to appeal to persons’ fears and unease. She closes her piece with some suggestions as to how to avoid declining into declinism.
A couple of snippets (emphasis added):
(sni0
One example of political declinism includes the Brexit campaign slogan “Take Back Control,” which implied the need to regain sovereignty to prevent further decline. Another example is Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” which suggested that things were better in the past.
Methinks this a timely read.
Afterthought:
You might ask some Brits how Brexit is working out is working out for them. (Hint: It isn’t.)
All the News that Fits 0
Dick Polman deciphers the duplicity. Here’s how he states the problem:
But last week she did something historically bold that checked all three boxes…and guess what: Barely anyone paid attention.
You gotta wonder why. But read on, because I know why.
Follow the link for the whys.
A Tune for the Times 0
From the Youtube page:
Way back in 2018 Trump made his once famous, now forgotten comments about “Shithole Countries” which inspired this parody. Based on comments that have accumulated on the original posting since that time, it bears mentioning that those “three guys” are not Norwegian and the video wasn’t shot in Norway. Just more Parody Project visual trickery for your entertainment.
“Sanewashing” 0
PoliticalProf offers an example.
A Tune for the Times 0
Mangy decodes de code.
“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0
At the Tampa Bay Times, Daniel Ruth hears a rhyme.
And, while we’re on the subject of voices from the past . . . .
_____________________
*Mark Twain.
A Tune for the Times 0
(Typo fixed.)
Speaking of “Bankrupt” and “Looted” . . . . 0
Robert Reich discusses what a second Donald Trump presidency means for the economy.
Or you can read the transcript.
Feeling Anxious? 0
If you’re worried about the upcoming election (I know I try not to think of it too much, because I find the prospect of the U. S. turning into yet another bankrupt, looted Trump business to be somewhat disquieting), Robin D. Stone, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, offers some hints for dealing with “election anxiety.”
Courting Disaster 0
At Above the Law, Liz Dye reports that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Supremacist Court seems to have some wounded fee-fees.
The Prediction 0
At the Kansas City Star, Roger C. Barnes and Don C. Smith argue that a Kansas newspaper editor predicted Donald Trump nearly a century ago. A snippet:
Then, in early 1943, White wrote to a friend: “The pretension that a candidate’s utterances are omniscient when everyone (knows) he is talking damned nonsense is one of the large reasons why the American people lose faith in democracy.”
Follow the link to learn why they think those words are coming true.
The Invalid Syllogism 0
Michael in Norfolk is perplexed.
More perplexity at the link.
The Self-Made-Up Man 0
Lee Camp tells the story of Elon Musk.