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What would the Bard think of all this?

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I stumbled upon this article from the American Prospect today, and I thought I would pass it along to my legions of fans. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare’s it will interest you, as it takes on the question of how the Bard would have treated the Donald, and what, if any characters are similar to him. Allyn Burrows, the Shakespeare scholar being interviewed, sees many echoes of Shakespeare in the various hangers on around the Trumpster, and the various cabals with which he is surrounded, but sees no obvious analog to the Donald in the Shakespeare canon, due to the Donald’s apparent lack of self awareness and inability to reflect on his situation. I don’t consider myself a Shakespeare expert, but I think he’s on to something there.

One interesting thing here is that it is pretty much taken as a given that Trump is not of sound mind. In response to a question from the interviewer (Robert Kuttner):

Well, the classic madman was Macbeth, or Richard III. But Trump is less interesting as a madman than either of those, because I’m not sure Trump is capable of introspection, or regret or remorse. Steve Bannon is a lot more interesting, as a villain, a Iago kind of figure. And in the play Henry VIII, for example, a play that’s rarely done, Cardinal Wolsey was very much a Iago figure to Henry VIII. He was able to manipulate the mind of the man and also was in it for money.

I suspect that over the coming months we will see more of this: matter of fact acknowledgment that the person who holds the office of President of the United States is mentally ill. I think that’s a first.

One thing that was quite amusing in this interview is the almost pathetic insistence by Robert Kuttner that John McCain might emerge as the good guy in the tragedy, the MacDuff to Trump’s MacBeth. It is truly amazing how the Beltway types have held fast to their conception of McCain as heroic “maverick” despite massive evidence to the contrary. McCain is capable of making some anemic noises that suggest that he knows right from wrong, but he has proven totally incapable of putting his vote or his influence where his mouth sometimes strays. His performance in the last few weeks merely proves that point. We must look elsewhere for a Republican good guy, if such an animal exists.

UPDATE: More on the McCain mythology. Here we find that John McCain is perceived as more credible than Donald Trump. If polled, I would have said the same thing, but my question is: Why was this question even polled? I can understand polling about whether the media or Trump is perceived as more credible. But why, of all politicians, poll on McCain? Do they think he’s the leader of the loyal opposition or something? What concrete thing has he done to establish his credentials for that position?

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Alternative facts in the making

Monday, February 6, 2017

You have to hand it to them. When it comes to manufacturing facts, the Republicans have no peers in the real world, and they’re rapidly catching up to the fictional Big Brother. Latest case in point:

Vice President Mike Pence will lead a commission to investigate voter registration issues, President Trump said Sunday.

In an interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly before Super Bowl LI, Trump – who shortly after taking office told congressional lawmakers that 3 to 5 million illegal votes had cost him the popular vote against Hillary Clinton – reiterated his concerns about voter irregularities, saying he planned to task his vice president with looking into concerns over voter registration.

“I’m going to set up a commission … headed by Vice President Mike Pence, and we’re going to look at it very, very carefully,” Trump said.

Despite no credible evidence that any massive voter fraud occurred, especially on the scale Trump suggested, during the 2016 presidential race, the president has continued to push the theory, much to the chagrin of some of his aides and many congressional leaders.

via the New London Day

Now, this will end in one of two ways, both of which will involve creation of alternative facts.

Option 1 is that they will go full crazy and find that there were in fact 3 million or more fraudulent votes and that to remedy the problem it is necessary to engage in even greater voter suppression.

Option 2 is that they will go a limited crazy, and announce that while there is insufficient evidence to prove there were three million or more fraudulent voters, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that there are serious problems with the voter registration process and that to remedy the problem it is necessary to engage in even greater voter suppression.

Inasmuch as these findings will be the result of a “commission” they will have sufficient legitimacy to withstand the debunkers who will immediately prove that they are baseless. Whatever the commission finds will become a fact, both to Trump and to his brain dead adherents. Either way, millions of people will be disenfranchised based on a lie.

One of my biggest fears about Trump’s electoral college victory was the prospect of a Supreme Court that would legalize voter suppression. He is either one or two votes away from having that court, and he’ll be one vote closer no matter who he ultimately gets to replace Scalia. That court will be happy to accept whatever alternative facts are “found” by Pence’s commission.

And don’t look for Pence to bring any integrity to the process. The result is preordained. Let’s leave 1984 and go through the Looking Glass for what we can expect, for as the Red Queen said: “Sentence first-verdict afterward”.

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It’s a fact free, fact free, fact free world

Sunday, February 5, 2017

The Trumpers may have brought the world of alternative facts to fruition, but that doesn’t mean it started with them.

Over the course of the last six months or so I’ve noticed a new type of spam in my office in-box. During that time you would be amazed at the number of awards that I or my firm have won. Or, more precisely, the number of awards we could win, so long as we were willing to pay for the honor. Here’s the introductory paragraphs to the latest missive:

Hi John,

Here at Corporate America we?re looking to celebrate the most successful lawyers from across the US legal landscape.

Following extensive research by our in-house team, taking into account your achievements over the past 12 months, we?d be delighted to profile you within the upcoming issue of Corporate America as the only lawyer within Connecticut.

We have selected just one individual from each state to be featured in the forthcoming edition, ensuring that you stand out from the competition for services to clients. And if you would like to showcase your expertise to our 135,000 subscribers and our 40,000+ per month website visitors, we offer the following for just $425:

1-page interview and profile, detailing your expertise and what you can offer your future clients.
Featured in the e-newsletter, sent directly to all 135,000 subscribers
Your content reproduced on the homepage of our website, visited by 40,000 each month.
PDF of your inclusion to use in your own marketing and branding.
To confirm your inclusion within Corporate America, simply respond to this email with ?Agreed at $425?.

Now, my first reaction to this would be to suggest that they fire their in-house team, because even I would never claim to be the best lawyer in Connecticut, or even close. I’m just not that in to lawyering, to be honest.

But we are living in a fact free world. If I want to be the best lawyer in Connecticut, all I have to do is pony up $425.00 (which is actually rather cheap compared to some of the other hucksters), and I am free to say that I have been named the best lawyer in Connecticut by Corporate America, whatever that may be. That is a fact, albeit of the alternative variety.

I’m certainly not going to pay Corporate America $425.00 to be the best lawyer in measly little Connecticut, when I’ve been offered best lawyer in America by a number of other groups. He’ll, I’ve been offered the chance to be best investment advisor in America, and I can’t even figure out what to do with my own 401k.

It’s my understanding that these sorts of “honors” have been for sale for years, but I don’t believe it was ever so blatant or so widespread in the past.

We live in a fact free world. Trump didn’t invent this world, he simply thrives in it. It probably helps that he can’t distinguish truth from falsehood, and that, if he can, he sees no merit in telling the truth when lies are so convenient, and seem to work so well.

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Noted in passing, another impeachable offence

Friday, February 3, 2017

It was widely reported that Trump named Steve Bannon (or more accurately, Bannon named Steve Bannon) to the National Security Council. The law provides that certain people are automatically members of the NSC, and others must be confirmed by Congress. Apparently, Bannon is so unpopular that even the present lickspittle Senate Republicans can’t be counted on to rubber stamp the nomination, so Bannon/Trump are simply resorting to breaking the law:

Concern is building nationally over the rise of neo-Nazi Trump advisor Steve Bannon. As we mentioned Wednesday, the law says Bannon’s bizarre elevation to the National Security Council requires Senate approval– approval which would not be forthcoming… and approval the fascist regime is not seeking, something that will eventualy come up in Trump impeachment hearings. (The Regime is circumventing the law by claiming Bannon isn’t actually a “member,” just a permanent “invitee.”) (Emphasis added)

via Down with Tyranny

Speaking of impeachment, this is rather incredible:

PPP released new polling this morning. A majority of Americans wish Obama was still president. And where last week, everyone was stunned that 35% of the country were already hoping Trump would be impeached, in just 7 days, that number has already increased to 40%! Only 43% of Americans are glad Trump is president. (The polling didn’t ask about it but evidence is that Trump’s strongest support comes from the counties with the heaviest prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction. It could be a coincidence… sure it could.)

via also Down with Tyranny

I’m of two minds about impeachment. In the best of all worlds, none of the non-crazy members of the Supreme Court would die, and Republicans would become progressively more panicked as Trump becomes ever more unpopular. Democrats meanwhile (of course they won’t do this), would drive a wedge between Bannon and Trump by constantly referring to Bannon as the real president, driving Trump to fire him. This scenario is not totally improbable. So long as we’re able to avoid a war, which is a big “if”, chaos with Trump may be preferable to stability with Pence. Everything would have to fall into place, but one can dream.

By the way, I think this is impeachable offence #6, but who’s really counting. I’ve probably missed 10 for every one I’ve written about.

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Winston Smith takes up his pen

Friday, February 3, 2017

Lots of folks are having fun with Kellyanne Conway’s latest alternative fact about the Bowling Green Massacre. She’ll probably have the last laugh. After a few days pass, in the alternative universe of millions of Trumpists, it will have happened.

UPDATE: Just because it’s funny. 

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Yet some more modest proposals

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Some Democrats are making pretty good noises about opposing the right wing horror show that is Gorsuch. I think it is Jeff Merkley who is pointing out that it is a stolen seat, and that’s a good line, but I’d suggest something along these lines. With one voice (ha ha, Democrats never speak with one voice) the Dems should repeat this mantra: As the Republicans said, the American people should have the right to choose who picks the next Supreme Court Justice. The American people chose Clinton, only the archaic and unrepresentative Electoral College chose Trump, and it wasn’t even close. They should be making this point on all issues, as often as the can. Not only is it true, but it is absolutely clear that it gets to Trump. If we have any hope, it’s that he will go so far off his rocker that even the Republicans will feel like they have to do something.

In that vein, it would also be a good idea for the Democrats to refer to “President Bannon” over and over again. I’ve seen reports that Trump already thinks that some of his underlings are subverting him. It can’t hurt to drive a wedge between him and the guy who is currently running the executive branch. In my humble opinion, the only way we have a chance to save the Republic is if we keep Trump off balance and paranoid. That’s a dangerous game, as he could do a lot of damage in response, but the alternative is quiet surrender to a totalitarian future.

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More hopeful signs 

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

We are just more than a week into the administration of President Bannon, and there are lots of reasons to feel pessimistic, but I have to, once again, write about some signs of optimism. All around, people are gathering together to do their bit to oppose. Last night we went to a meeting of a new group called Rise Up Mystic Now, in truth, we don’t technically live in Mystic, but close enough. Anyway, the meeting was held in a room at the Mystic Noank Library that is possibly big enough for a gathering of 50 people. It was swamped. People were standing in the halls. For once, my better half’s penchant for always arriving early served us in good stead, for we had seats.

Follow through is critical, I know, and we’ll see how it goes from here, but it’s still heartening. This is happening all over the country, I’m sure. There are several groups forming just in the Southeast corner of our great state. In fact, one of the challenges will be to find a way for those disparate groups to coordinate.

What I think is particularly encouraging is the fact that so many people have come together over a cause that directly affects so few of them. People feel strongly about the Muslim ban. That speaks highly for the better angels of our nature.

Once again, it must be emphasized that we can’t beat back President Bannon without some help from our elected “leaders”. But even here, these grassroots groups may help. It’s always possible that they can bring some of our Democratic politicians to understand what we commoners understand: that this is not normal, and that comity, civility and compromise are simply paving stones on the road to ruin. We need massive resistance, and if it comes from the bottom up, so much the better.

By the way, if you live in the Groton/Stonington/Ledyard area, sign up.

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Always look on the bright side of life

Sunday, January 29, 2017

We may be going down for the count, but at least a lot of us are fighting back. The demonstrations protesting Trump’s recent act of cruelty are one small sign of hope. I don’t think there was anything like this when Hitler took over, so we are at least one up on the Germans. Someone, we’re still not sure, got the ball rolling to hold a demonstration in New London this afternoon, and given the short notice, we got pretty good turnout. Some pics below. The passersby were generally sympathetic. I only saw one negative reaction, a taxi driver who gave us the finger.

Irony abounds these days. Bill Kristol is tweeting his displeasure at an administration for which he and his ilk prepared the way. But I guess you take your allies where you find them. If these “principled” right wingers, who after all, are disproportionally represented in the media, stick to those principles and speak out against Trump, it can only help. I guess.

Again, one major question is whether the Democrats in Congress will step up, recognize the urgency of the situation, and obstruct, obstruct, obstruct, rather than acting as if this is just business as usual. Some of them seem to get it, though clearly not enough. Oddly enough, Kristen Gillibrand, hardly a fire-eater, is the only Senator to vote against all of Trump’s nominees. Chris Murphy seems to have seen the light, and even Tim Kaine is calling a spade a spade. (Or, more accurately, calling a Nazi a Nazi) Still, overall, the Democrats are being way too timid.

So, anyway, by way of justifying the title to this post, the spontaneously organized demonstrations seems to me to prove beyond doubt that a huge proportion of the citizens of this country appreciate the danger and want to do something about it. Query whether any of the institution designed to protect us from tyranny appreciate the danger. The major media, in the end, will surely fail us. We have only the courts at this point. Maybe someone like Roberts will follow Kristol and come to our aid. You can always hope.

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Dubious Distinction for Obama

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Today, Obama is virtually tied for first place in a new poll of the greatest modern president.

The Quinnipiac University poll indicates 29 percent say Obama is the greatest president since World War II — just shy of the 30 percent who cite Ronald Reagan, the long-standing titleholder.

via The Washington Post

No knock on Obama, but it is certainly a knock on the American people that they don’t realize that Ronald Reagan is the Fountainhead, so to speak, of all of their woes. He ushered in the age of inequality. He was a terrible president, and one of Obama’s mistakes was speaking respectfully about him. The Republicans have browbeaten many Democrats into acknowledging Reagan’s “greatness”. If you call delivering for the .01% great, then he was great. By any other measure, he was a disaster.

Obama is also improving in the “worst president” category, where he barely leads Nixon and G.W. Bush. We have a lot of stupid people in this country.

“Modern” presidents are defined as post World War II presidents. Of course, as the population ages, and the definition remains static, presidents drop out of contention as fewer people remember them. I have to say I’d have a hard time making the case that there were any great presidents after World War II. The Republicans were all horrible, some worse than others, of course. Measured by accomplishments, I’d have to give the palm to Johnson. Without him, we might not have gotten the civil rights acts, Medicare or Medicaid. Those were great accomplishments. No one else comes close.

So far as worst presidents are concerned, it’s far easier. The four worst, in order of worseness: Trump (already), Bush the Younger, Nixon, Reagan. It’s a sad thing that in that time period Reagan only comes in number four. We have the electoral college to blame for that.

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Truthiness rampant

Thursday, January 26, 2017

More than a hundred years ago, an Indiana legislator introduced a bill, the purpose of which was to establish a formula for squaring the circle by legislative fiat. The bill came close to passing, but ultimately failed. But the idea that you can establish a fact by a consensus of the ignorant apparently lives on.

Trump was on television and was asked about his baseless claim that 3 million votes (each of which were cast for Clinton) were illegally cast in the election. It’s obviously true because:

The ABC host later asked, “Do you think that talking about millions of illegal votes is dangerous to this country without presenting the evidence?”

“Not at all because many people feel the same way that I do,” Trump replied.

via Talking Points Memo

This is hardly the first time Trump has used this sort of reasoning. In his case, it has a remarkable circularity. He tells a lie. His followers of little brain believe him. It is therefore a fact, which he can repeat based on the authority of the people he duped in the first place.

The press, at least some of it, is pushing back against the lies. It is to be hoped they will continue to do so, but my money is on the bulk of them acceding to the new normal in relatively short order. I truly recommend that everyone re-read 1984. It took a little longer maybe, but Orwell’s world is here.

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