Another hysterical woman venting hysterically about Mean Orange Meanie.
There’s a real shortage of content like this. For God’s sake people, SOMEONE has to FINALLY stand up and acknowledge that Trump is HITLER REINCARNATED!!!!
Of course. We wouldn’t allow militias—or Freikorps in the original German—from other political factions. White and/or Christian ones are given privilege, and…we see where we are this morning.
One of the best summations I've read, especially the first section on American fascism's history and our normalization of it as "real" America! Damn. Thanks, Michael.
Very welcome, Steven. It explains why America is suddenly lagging Europe in human rights; they actively de-Fashed in the last half of the 20th century, whereas we allowed Fascism to flourish because it is the only way republicans can win elections.
I'd agree with this, and would also vote for a root vegetable over T (seeing as said vegetable has Biden's team behind it)
At the same time: If you didn't watch the debate in full, you might not have a sense of just how 'bad' it was
That was the worst I've ever seen him. He reminded me of some of the patients in the rehab / nursing facility where one of my relatives is
Meanwhile, T--like the Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller he is--blusteringly lied and outright fantasized 95% of everything that came out of his mouth, invariably some of it dangerous, malicious, and autocratic
It was like watching a dystopian sci-fi horror film unfolding after having taken cough syrup for a fever
If Biden believes he can personally govern and lead effectively for the next *5* years, it seems he is somewhat delusional and in denial, which itself is likely part of cognitive decline. Cognitive decline clouds his own awareness of his cognitive decline--a Lear-esque theme
Now, entirely agree with you about the Team aspect, but...
• The overall level of education in the country has gotten poorer & poorer -- coupled with greater & greater brainwashing and dis-information thru the totality of media and social media, such that the majority of people, including plenty of independents and democrats, don't give this much consideration, and regard the Presidency as highly authoritative and influential... Seems highly unlikely--given the continued pervasiveness of the aforementioned--the laity can be disabused of this view in a matter of months
• Sometimes a President indeed must make a very important, indeed crucial snap decision, with only little input from others (which I imagine Biden would probably, likely, maybe ? be fine at for a while, but in 2 to 4 years, hmm... again, check out the debate)
• People like their figurehead to be presentable and relatively articulate (again, not necessarily something I agree with, but seems to be so)
So where I am going with this? As 'the public' is going to make the decision, and not an informed coterie, likely seems wiser to replace him, alas.
I think Carter should run again for a second term. He's our man to win
Can’t argue with this but I think practically the move is to provide a “United Front” where who is running isn’t simply Biden or Biden and Harris but a broad coalition of people. “I’ve governed as the head of a team, and it’s worked. You don’t change the coach at halftime, especially when you’re winning. And America is WINNING.”
Entirely agree. *If* they hammered in this point articulately 'til election time, maybe it would begin to actually seep thru and convince the dis-informed, dis-educated, addled masses.
But having seen the debate and Biden's condition of late in various scenarios, my sense or worry is that he's no longer articulate or sharp enough to make any kind of convincing or compelling case against T, particularly ad hoc. Even in his finest moments now, his voice is unnaturally low, there are gaffes, confusions. It's just age, cognitive decline, perhaps hidden ailment; happens to everyone later or sooner. But he seems to be fairly advanced now, alas.
Really don't think he would get through 4+ more years of the Presidency, and Harris would have to step up / step in.
And his team or the VP have hardly been making this point at all. I've scarcely heard it uttered or emphasized over months. Advertisements don't seem to mention it at all.
All this considered, it's a real tossup as to whether B should step down. My sense (or guess really) is that if someone articulate and sharp, able to improvise, w/ a decent record, able to convincingly interrogate T's record and dangers to voters, and fairly unitive, were to come in asap, they'd ultimately be a significantly stronger candidate. Then again, they are somewhat politically untested nationally, and T's team and backing might find novel ways of disparaging and discrediting them.
But now w/ the assassination attempt, Cannon dropping the documents case, and so on and so forth--it seems now every day there's some new insanity, an escalation of egoic dysfunction; turn off my phone to write for several hours, and without fail there's some new pseudo-unprecedented madness when I turn it back on--with the events of the past week, it's even more difficult to gauge the best route, and I imagine he'll just stay in. 'God help us'
The turning point in the collapse of democracy--the 'high water mark,' as H Thompson might say--might have been the Supreme Court presidential immunity decision. At this very moment America may not in fact be a democracy anymore.
~
"Things are going to slide in all directions
Won't be nothing you can measure anymore
The blizzard of the world has crossed the threshold
Thank you, @Andrew. As I said in the piece, I wish he were younger, too, but we have to stop thinking of the President as some all-powerful Imperial personage, personally moving us towards one future or another. That's what is so shocking about the SCOTUS decision on immunity--the majority 6 seem to WANT a Caesar, which the Founders absolutely did not; the idea of "no Kings" is perhaps the founding idea of our nation. Anyway, if we stop thinking of the President as a Caesar, the office may eventually attract a different type of person. But currently, it's attracting people like Trump, who craves all the Imperial treatment, but doesn't want to do--and in fact did not do--any of the work.
On point as ever. I almost forgot about the Business Plot of 1933 which GW's granddaddy Prescott Bush had taken part in.
If only we heeded the warnings made by Thomas Jefferson: "...The time to guard against corruption and tyranny, is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered."
Yet, here we are, surrounded by wolves led by a moldy, deranged orangutan.
Now you are worried about Uncle Joe's age. Far too late for that. I like Joe Biden. Almost as much as Clarence Thomas likes Joe Biden. In other words, it's a pleasure to see Uncle Joe crash and burn. Hey, I can even toast a marshmallow on that fire.
The book is kind of nominally about the history of "cancel culture" (or comedians making the same complains about what they "can't say," going back to vaudeville). But the real substance is a history of the John Birch Society, and its affects on American society to this day, mostly through the think tanks it spawned
Michael, I know that just having an amen chorus gets boring and that you would probably savor some dissent from time to time, but there is so much to agree with in your writing and very little, if anything, with which to disagree.
That you express your thoughts so lucidly, cogently, and with a style that is simultaneously witty and serious makes it all the more enjoyable.
Thank you for all you do. I am sure those of us here all do a significant amount of reading with a good deal of it laborious. Reading your articles are the opposite--a delightful treat with much to think about.
Neal, thank you so much for this. The deprofessionalizing of my career—where my gifts and instincts lay, whether I like it or not—leaves me increasingly bereft. So praise like this is essential for me to keep writing, which increasingly feels like merely a solitary hobby. Thank you, and please spread the word on the piece.
Well done. You know that I disagree with you about the fascists under the bed, but it doesn't actually matter because between this --
"The non-insane 75% of our culture cannot acknowledge the obviously unfit, preposterously dangerous Republican candidate. Until we do that, every other conversation is nonsense. "
and this--
"It’s because he sees how the job should be done—he’s got a good team, the right priorities, and clearly knows how to President at least as well as Clinton or Obama, manifestly better than Carter, and probably as good as Johnson. He might be the most effective Democrat since FDR."
--covers, imo, everything we need to say about this election, and no one should reasonably need to hear anything else on the subject. Which is why other than things like this written by colleagues, I will be ignoring every single piece of election-related news (as I've ignored it up to this point), because there's nothing to do except vote and see what happens, and(for me) rest secure in the knowledge that I'm a single piece of paper away from having a red passport, should the need arise.
Also I don't think you're at all out of your lane. Quite the contrary, at this point, I think satire and humour writers are probably the *only* people qualified to comment on American (or British) politics because there's nothing about it that's anything other than ridiculous.
PS -- Maybe its just that I have a weak spot for ultra-competent 80-year olds, but that Biden on the roof photo is 🔥🔥
There are two reasons I am not as sanguine as you. As I explained in the piece, Fascism is at this point structural in the US; we have played the “crazy 25%” game long enough that it has captured most of rural America. it is no longer running along Union/Condederate lines.
Secondly, as a broke disabled satirist, Fascism is a clear danger to me personally, and I can’t emigrate.
I'm not sanguine so much as just not willing to lose sleep over something I can't do anything about other than what I'm already doing. Sometimes there's just nothing else to do other than fiddle while Rome burns (and sometimes fiddling is the best thing to do, as in my work). But ask me again closer to the election and see if you get a different answer...
But the larger point was, you're not out of your lane with your political writing. It's very good, because of and not in spite of your satire. Well done.
PS If it gets bad, come to Maine. I have an empty guest suite and up here, even the hippies have guns and know how to use them. ☮️
Another hysterical woman venting hysterically about Mean Orange Meanie.
There’s a real shortage of content like this. For God’s sake people, SOMEONE has to FINALLY stand up and acknowledge that Trump is HITLER REINCARNATED!!!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE, HE IS COMING FOR YOU!!!!!
Brilliant. And, the far-West, far-Right gun-toting 'militias' should have been chopped off at the roots as soon as they appeared. And gone to jail.
Second Amendmnet, motherfucker!!!
Of course. We wouldn’t allow militias—or Freikorps in the original German—from other political factions. White and/or Christian ones are given privilege, and…we see where we are this morning.
One of the best summations I've read, especially the first section on American fascism's history and our normalization of it as "real" America! Damn. Thanks, Michael.
Very welcome, Steven. It explains why America is suddenly lagging Europe in human rights; they actively de-Fashed in the last half of the 20th century, whereas we allowed Fascism to flourish because it is the only way republicans can win elections.
I'd agree with this, and would also vote for a root vegetable over T (seeing as said vegetable has Biden's team behind it)
At the same time: If you didn't watch the debate in full, you might not have a sense of just how 'bad' it was
That was the worst I've ever seen him. He reminded me of some of the patients in the rehab / nursing facility where one of my relatives is
Meanwhile, T--like the Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller he is--blusteringly lied and outright fantasized 95% of everything that came out of his mouth, invariably some of it dangerous, malicious, and autocratic
It was like watching a dystopian sci-fi horror film unfolding after having taken cough syrup for a fever
If Biden believes he can personally govern and lead effectively for the next *5* years, it seems he is somewhat delusional and in denial, which itself is likely part of cognitive decline. Cognitive decline clouds his own awareness of his cognitive decline--a Lear-esque theme
Now, entirely agree with you about the Team aspect, but...
• The overall level of education in the country has gotten poorer & poorer -- coupled with greater & greater brainwashing and dis-information thru the totality of media and social media, such that the majority of people, including plenty of independents and democrats, don't give this much consideration, and regard the Presidency as highly authoritative and influential... Seems highly unlikely--given the continued pervasiveness of the aforementioned--the laity can be disabused of this view in a matter of months
• Sometimes a President indeed must make a very important, indeed crucial snap decision, with only little input from others (which I imagine Biden would probably, likely, maybe ? be fine at for a while, but in 2 to 4 years, hmm... again, check out the debate)
• People like their figurehead to be presentable and relatively articulate (again, not necessarily something I agree with, but seems to be so)
So where I am going with this? As 'the public' is going to make the decision, and not an informed coterie, likely seems wiser to replace him, alas.
I think Carter should run again for a second term. He's our man to win
Can’t argue with this but I think practically the move is to provide a “United Front” where who is running isn’t simply Biden or Biden and Harris but a broad coalition of people. “I’ve governed as the head of a team, and it’s worked. You don’t change the coach at halftime, especially when you’re winning. And America is WINNING.”
Entirely agree. *If* they hammered in this point articulately 'til election time, maybe it would begin to actually seep thru and convince the dis-informed, dis-educated, addled masses.
But having seen the debate and Biden's condition of late in various scenarios, my sense or worry is that he's no longer articulate or sharp enough to make any kind of convincing or compelling case against T, particularly ad hoc. Even in his finest moments now, his voice is unnaturally low, there are gaffes, confusions. It's just age, cognitive decline, perhaps hidden ailment; happens to everyone later or sooner. But he seems to be fairly advanced now, alas.
Really don't think he would get through 4+ more years of the Presidency, and Harris would have to step up / step in.
And his team or the VP have hardly been making this point at all. I've scarcely heard it uttered or emphasized over months. Advertisements don't seem to mention it at all.
All this considered, it's a real tossup as to whether B should step down. My sense (or guess really) is that if someone articulate and sharp, able to improvise, w/ a decent record, able to convincingly interrogate T's record and dangers to voters, and fairly unitive, were to come in asap, they'd ultimately be a significantly stronger candidate. Then again, they are somewhat politically untested nationally, and T's team and backing might find novel ways of disparaging and discrediting them.
But now w/ the assassination attempt, Cannon dropping the documents case, and so on and so forth--it seems now every day there's some new insanity, an escalation of egoic dysfunction; turn off my phone to write for several hours, and without fail there's some new pseudo-unprecedented madness when I turn it back on--with the events of the past week, it's even more difficult to gauge the best route, and I imagine he'll just stay in. 'God help us'
The turning point in the collapse of democracy--the 'high water mark,' as H Thompson might say--might have been the Supreme Court presidential immunity decision. At this very moment America may not in fact be a democracy anymore.
~
"Things are going to slide in all directions
Won't be nothing you can measure anymore
The blizzard of the world has crossed the threshold
And it's overturned the order of the soul"
You said 'chud'
(that's my key takeaway)
Great article, Michael. Could not agree more.
We’re not electing a person, we’re electing a team. I might be paraphrasing from you, but that fact needs to be broadcast nightly.
Damn, son! Best argument for keeping Biden on the ticket that I've come across so far.
Thank you, @Andrew. As I said in the piece, I wish he were younger, too, but we have to stop thinking of the President as some all-powerful Imperial personage, personally moving us towards one future or another. That's what is so shocking about the SCOTUS decision on immunity--the majority 6 seem to WANT a Caesar, which the Founders absolutely did not; the idea of "no Kings" is perhaps the founding idea of our nation. Anyway, if we stop thinking of the President as a Caesar, the office may eventually attract a different type of person. But currently, it's attracting people like Trump, who craves all the Imperial treatment, but doesn't want to do--and in fact did not do--any of the work.
On point as ever. I almost forgot about the Business Plot of 1933 which GW's granddaddy Prescott Bush had taken part in.
If only we heeded the warnings made by Thomas Jefferson: "...The time to guard against corruption and tyranny, is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered."
Yet, here we are, surrounded by wolves led by a moldy, deranged orangutan.
Brilliant! Agree 100%.
Now you are worried about Uncle Joe's age. Far too late for that. I like Joe Biden. Almost as much as Clarence Thomas likes Joe Biden. In other words, it's a pleasure to see Uncle Joe crash and burn. Hey, I can even toast a marshmallow on that fire.
Good one, Michael
If you haven't read it already, I highly recommend Kliph Nesteroff's new book OUTRAGEOUS. It speaks to a lot of what you're describing here
In what way Anthony?
The book is kind of nominally about the history of "cancel culture" (or comedians making the same complains about what they "can't say," going back to vaudeville). But the real substance is a history of the John Birch Society, and its affects on American society to this day, mostly through the think tanks it spawned
Michael, I know that just having an amen chorus gets boring and that you would probably savor some dissent from time to time, but there is so much to agree with in your writing and very little, if anything, with which to disagree.
That you express your thoughts so lucidly, cogently, and with a style that is simultaneously witty and serious makes it all the more enjoyable.
Thank you for all you do. I am sure those of us here all do a significant amount of reading with a good deal of it laborious. Reading your articles are the opposite--a delightful treat with much to think about.
Neal, thank you so much for this. The deprofessionalizing of my career—where my gifts and instincts lay, whether I like it or not—leaves me increasingly bereft. So praise like this is essential for me to keep writing, which increasingly feels like merely a solitary hobby. Thank you, and please spread the word on the piece.
Well done. You know that I disagree with you about the fascists under the bed, but it doesn't actually matter because between this --
"The non-insane 75% of our culture cannot acknowledge the obviously unfit, preposterously dangerous Republican candidate. Until we do that, every other conversation is nonsense. "
and this--
"It’s because he sees how the job should be done—he’s got a good team, the right priorities, and clearly knows how to President at least as well as Clinton or Obama, manifestly better than Carter, and probably as good as Johnson. He might be the most effective Democrat since FDR."
--covers, imo, everything we need to say about this election, and no one should reasonably need to hear anything else on the subject. Which is why other than things like this written by colleagues, I will be ignoring every single piece of election-related news (as I've ignored it up to this point), because there's nothing to do except vote and see what happens, and(for me) rest secure in the knowledge that I'm a single piece of paper away from having a red passport, should the need arise.
Also I don't think you're at all out of your lane. Quite the contrary, at this point, I think satire and humour writers are probably the *only* people qualified to comment on American (or British) politics because there's nothing about it that's anything other than ridiculous.
PS -- Maybe its just that I have a weak spot for ultra-competent 80-year olds, but that Biden on the roof photo is 🔥🔥
There are two reasons I am not as sanguine as you. As I explained in the piece, Fascism is at this point structural in the US; we have played the “crazy 25%” game long enough that it has captured most of rural America. it is no longer running along Union/Condederate lines.
Secondly, as a broke disabled satirist, Fascism is a clear danger to me personally, and I can’t emigrate.
I'm not sanguine so much as just not willing to lose sleep over something I can't do anything about other than what I'm already doing. Sometimes there's just nothing else to do other than fiddle while Rome burns (and sometimes fiddling is the best thing to do, as in my work). But ask me again closer to the election and see if you get a different answer...
But the larger point was, you're not out of your lane with your political writing. It's very good, because of and not in spite of your satire. Well done.
PS If it gets bad, come to Maine. I have an empty guest suite and up here, even the hippies have guns and know how to use them. ☮️
Well reasoned and written. From your lips...
OMFG YES