The observation came in the wake of a presentation of nuclear armaments around the world. The U.S. was/is miles ahead of anyone else, but Trump was apparently alarmed that the U.S. might be outgunned. Aides walked him back from his alarums.
Reading the news wires just now, I was struck by the number of stories that related to Trump and one or more of his improved bits of braggadocio. Story after story after story, often with a picture of the man who specializes in making bad-boy, attention-grabbing waves. Think back for a single year: Can anyone imagine the secretary of state's being caught out/quoted calling the president a "fucking moron?" Can anyone remember a time when circumspect -- and yes, often lie-laden -- language was the language of politicians and diplomats?
Everything has grown crass and, yes, stupider.
Now it's not just the forgotten who are caterwauling for attention. It seems to be everyone -- a majority where once it was a minority. Bit by bit by bit, whatever decency was aspired to, or even just lied about, is left like a candy wrapper in the gutter. News wires are awash with analyses suggesting this action or that puts Trump on the cusp -- the very cusp -- of political demise. But over and over again, that demise is not forthcoming. The moment I think of a new epithet to describe this foul and self-centered little man, I am outflanked by some new and improved bit of bullying, some new way of tearing down a country and its standing in the world, however fragile that standing may be.
The bad boys have created nothing of substance since Trump ascended the throne eight months ago. No laws. No policy. No statements of purpose that can last for more than a day or two. Health care, tax reform, infrastructure, jobs, environment .... The movers and shakers move and shake and nothing gets done outside hurting even those who adore the likes of Donald Trump. To the extent that top positions in the administration are filled -- and a lot are not -- they are filled with business men and military men and others who may be beholden to a commander in chief who sees them as the scowling pawns they seem to be. Quality candidates seem to be conspicuously missing.
It's exhausting and dispiriting.
"Fucking moron."
I guess that will have to do since nothing seems to make much difference.
I share your frustration. Yes, Trump is fucking moron, but the un-morons like generals Matthias and Kelly and former CEO Rex Tillerson continue to steadfastly prop up the Moron. The Republican Party and Democratic Party refuse to denounce the Idijit Commander much less set the stage for impeachment for reckless endangerment, ethical malfeasance, and incompetence,
ReplyDeleteTime for some high spirited, thoughtful, articulate, folks with both high intellectual and high emotion intelligence with an education in and love of history especially American History who have a love of humanity and liberal / progressive values to come forward if they aspire to represent the American people.
Was Bernie Sanders unique in his long term view of politics? Are others entering political life at lower levels with the view of gaining the knowledge and experience to one day run for President?
At the same time somehow the Republican Party needs to be purged of the anti-intellectuals, the mean-spirited, and the blowhards.
Further, there’s plenty of “moronity” in the Democratic Party that needs to be removed as well.
Also, the general populace needs a broader and deeper education.
The conservative view appears to be flooding the world, gaining ground hugely in Europe, or at least threatening to. What was once a political/economic position that was defensible has become an anti-intellectual, anti-human movement toward Old Testament wrath and the desire to smite all opposition. It's a world view of us-ism vs. them-ism and all the ism's are weighed and judged on that simple criteria. But then I'm just another generation of grouchy old men shouting "hell inna hand basket".
ReplyDeleteWe need to be careful in drawing such conclusions, olcharlie.
DeleteBearing in mind that while these days "Fake News" means "not showing Trump in a positive light" the media can actually create serious societal problems by presenting things in such a way that are not accurate. This is actually done at the publisher / editorial level.
I personally saw this happen three times. Once during Rudy Giuliani's time as mayor, and twice during Mike Bloomberg's administration. In the former the reporter from the Pot came to me fishing for a story supporting Giuliani, when I pointed out how unhelpful that view was in reality, she blew me off. During the Bloomberg administrator such practices were rampant. More than once later reporter's promises to present a certain views weren't kept and instead pro Bloomberg propaganda was published as the news "fit to print.' In the third case I actually had a back and forth with with an editor at Newsday about Bloomberg who instead of having an article written about well understood and researched policy, insisted on doubling down in support of Bloomberg's "I'm a billionaire and I just pull it out of my ass policies." Essentially Bloomberg's data driven policiies resulted in massive manipulation and falsification of statistics by administrators which only the Voice Voice reported on. (BTW -- the problems inherent in using "data driven" policies i.e. using statistics for problem solving is also well researched.)
All this is to say, don't believe all the stuff you see and read, talk to people and make your own direct observations, keep your own counsel based on those things as opposed to the shit shoveled by newspapers and the talking heads on TV.
I think it's safe to say that the education dollar spent on the general population here has been shrinking for the last 40 plus years. Those with strong conservative opinions seem to be receiving their information from emails forwarded by friends, and most likely originating by advertising agencies hired by think tanks to disseminate an ignorance that supports their agenda. Emails slip under the fake news radar and are really rampant. But then I've got a bad attitude.
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