I posted this link in another thread, but it relates and more people should read it.
Right out of the same playbook.
Mr. Fix It. [tm]
Tim Snyder is an interesting cat, with dictatorships and authoritarian governments being his specialty. Garry Kasparov - yes, that Garry Kasparov of chess championship fame - is also another interesting interview whenever he’s on. Kasparov’s become something of a politician in exile in recent years and taking on the dangerous work of being an outspoken critic of Putin.
As both Snyder and Kasparov have pointed out in almost the exact same language: one of the goals of the modern (Western) authoritarian is not necessarily control information but to sow confusion in the minds of people. Authoritarians want people to believe that everyone is equally dubious. Nobody can be trusted. And when nobody can be trusted to provide the truth, then the truth becomes whatever those in power say the truth is.
That’s exactly why I go off on people when they say “they’re all the same” or “both sides do it” or “both parties are two sides of the same coin.” Non-partisans, however good their intentions might be, represent a more insidious form of danger than right wing partisans. It’s good to be partisan. One simply needs to be the right kind of partisan: a partisan for truth, a partisan for reason, a partisan for the rule of law, for the common welfare, and for the strength of public institutions and accountability. There will always be shades of grey on specific political and social issues, but when it comes to power, justice, the truth, the facts, civic involvement…there has to be a clear and shared sense of virtue among ordinary people, and to resist assaults on these values from those in power. Otherwise, ordinary people lose control.
“Go wrong”? That’s already wrong!
It is odd, isn’t it? Trump talks about banning the transgender from the military and that gets a lot of press (and praise from the base because it’s ostensibly hurtful to liberals) but the number of people actually affected is far smaller than in a trade war, many of whom are in his base.
I take taxis often, mainly to or from airports; quite a few times I’ve gotten a talkative cabbie who’s decided to give me the advice nobody else would. I must become self-employed like him, so I’ll be my own boss and all my problems will be solved!
Note that this is just after verifying that yes, I’m on a business trip, and coming from a guy I’ve just told where to go. That part would be absurd even if I didn’t happen to already be self-employed.
“Fortunately, our stablest genius came up with a last minute solution. So now, we just impose a new tariff on Chinese imports once in a while. Since they retaliate with a tariff on our goods, we have keep adding higher and higher tariffs, thus solving the trade war once and for all.”
“But…”
“ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!”
So. Much. Winning. I’m just so sick of all the winning!
Actually, since I’m pretty far from retirement this is giving me plenty of opportunity to buy stocks at low prices. So, ummm, yay Trump? #MAGA?
(N.B., although it is true I’m getting a good deal, I’m kidding and recognize that overall it hurts more than it helps.)
Am I a bad person if I hope they get fucked over royally?
They voted for him to stir the shit, burn everythign down, and fuck us all. I hope they go bust, end up in the fucking street, denied all the benefits and safety nets they would have denied everyone else.
John Kelly packs up his ashtray, remote control, paddle game, magazine, and chair. (He doesn’t need his dog.)
If you think this is the bottom, you’re very optimistic.
Huh…Trump Tower is burning. Wonder if the fire broke out in the incriminating evidence storage room?
50th floor. Who knew there was a dumpster up there?
50th floor - must be the Reichstag floor.
No but I’m not going to try to time the bottom. I’m more than happy to buy all the way down.
That worked well for me in '87, '00-02 and '08.
Is this to be followed by the Night of the Wrong Wives?
adds eschereal to The List
