A President in Every Pot, &c.
On the scope of an office; the cheek of ‘South Park’; a governor slimming down; a noble French historian; and more
President Donald Trump is a busy beaver. There are many things a president must do, as a matter of course. But this one also wants the Cleveland Guardians to become the “Cleveland Indians” again. And the Washington Commanders to become the “Washington Redskins” again. And Coca-Cola to use cane sugar instead of whatever it is the company uses. Etc. Trump is very active on these fronts.
I share his opinion, in some of these cases. (Not sure about “Redskins.”) But, you know? A president ought not to involve himself in every nook and cranny of American life. He is not a national boss or nanny. There should be a private sphere, an apolitical sphere, a non-governmental sphere.
Conservatives taught me this long ago. They were right, I believe (as about virtually everything.) I cannot unlearn what I learned, and accepted, years ago. That is a big reason I’m out of step with the regnant Right today.
***
Earlier this week, I read a few articles concerning Trump’s actions vis-à-vis universities, law firms, media outlets, and so on. This thought occurred to me, and I wonder whether you concur (or demur).
Lots of people—most people?—desire a strongman. But only as long as that leader is wielding governmental powers in a way they approve. If another strongman, uncongenial to them, came in, they’d turn all liberal, quoting Locke and Madison with gusto.
This is very human, isn’t it? (And disturbing, where the prospects of liberal democracy are concerned.)
***
I would like to quote a report from the New York Times:
The creators of “South Park” aren’t holding back. Nor are Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart.
Just a few weeks after Paramount settled a lawsuit with President Trump, and less than a week after the company made the abrupt decision to cancel “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” some of the company’s marquee names have been using their Paramount platforms to attack their corporate bosses—as well as the president.
Did you see this? Did you see the episode in question, or read about it?
In the season premiere of the animated Comedy Central franchise “South Park” on Wednesday night, a character portraying Jesus Christ visited the show’s elementary school before revealing why he was really there: Mr. Trump had sent him “because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount.”
That’s a little weird, but—moving on:
The episode also featured various terrified correspondents at CBS’s “60 Minutes,” whose interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris was at the center of Mr. Trump’s suit. The correspondents on “South Park” praised Mr. Trump.
Okay, just one more paragraph:
Making the episode more remarkable was that it aired just hours after Paramount and Comedy Central announced a new deal with Park County, the production studio run by the creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The deal will pay Park County at least $1.25 billion over five years, two people with knowledge of the arrangement said.
The White House reacted to the South Park episode in characteristic fashion.
There is a point that my friend Kevin Williamson makes: What good is it having “f***-you money” if you are never willing to say “f*** you”? Say what you will about the South Park guys: They are willing.
At the risk of oversimplification, let me further say this: I want the enemies of freedom—Putin, Xi Jinping, the mullahs, et al.—to tremble before the U.S. government. I don’t want Americans—whatever I may think of them—to tremble before the U.S. government.
This fearing of presidential displeasure strikes me as un-American, or in any case not right.
***
Reports from “Alligator Alcatraz”—the immigration detention facility in South Florida—are disturbing. For now, I would like to make a single point—a minor one, but a point nonetheless: That’s the official name of the facility. “Alligator Alcatraz.” Just as “One Big Beautiful Bill” is the official name of the Republicans’ key legislation, the official name of this dreadful facility is “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Also, “merch” is available. You can buy “Alligator Alcatraz” merchandise.
Signs of decadence, all around.
***
This article, from the Associated Press, is headed, “Less selection, higher prices: How tariffs are shaping the holiday shopping season.”
Less selection, higher prices. I’m not an economist, but: sounds bad.
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Nixon, in post-presidential years, said, “You can tell that Ted Kennedy will run for president: He’s slimming down.” (I have paraphrased.)
I thought of that when Socialists for Pritzker posted this tweet. The tweet embeds a video of Illinois governor JB Pritzker walking on a beach. The socialists (or Socialists?) say,
The JB workout sightings are getting more prevalent.
One could say that…he’s running.
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Let’s turn to some language. This week, I read an article that said “falsely smearing.” No need for that “falsely” there. I read at least two articles that spoke of “deep ties.” In my view, that should really be “close ties” or “strong ties.” (A person might have “deep roots.”)
Over and over—I mean, over and over—people say “reticent” when they mean “reluctant” or “hesitant.” This problem is so pervasive, I think we might lose the word “reticent” in its actual meaning.
“Language evolves!” people say. And it’s so true. I would not stop that evolution. But I dislike it when it leaves us with fewer—not more—words. When it makes our language poorer, not richer.
***
This, I loved. At the grocery store across the street from me, there is a young, friendly, cool cashier. The other night, he was playfully accusing a co-worker of not being truthful about something. This is what my guy said: “Nah, you bogus, bro.”
Perfect. (And there is no end of opportunities to use it.)
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“Sol Stern, Lapsed Liberal and Conservative Heretic, Dies at 89.” That is the heading over an obit in the New York Times. I appreciated Sol, very much. He was an individual. Two years ago, he and I recorded a Q&A podcast: “Better Call Sol.” With every passing year, or month, I value independent thinkers more. We cannot have enough of them.
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To read this obit, I was very moved. It tells us about Jean-Pierre Azéma, a French historian who has died at 87. He was the son of a Nazi collaborator. The son devoted his life to investigating French collaboration with the Nazis. This upset a national myth. I deeply admire Azéma’s commitment to the truth, no matter how bitter it was.
(Last week I wrote about my friend David Pryce-Jones: here. I discussed his 1981 book, Paris in the Third Reich. That book is shattering.)
***
Well, lemme lighten up, maybe. I saw a stunning Corvette parked on the street (in New York). And a little sign in the windshield said “WCBS 2 News, On Assignment, PRESS.”
Ha, whoa! Some guy, or gal, knows some things I don’t.
Thank you, my friends, for reading, and subscribing. There are “free” and “paid” subscriptions. If you can afford a “paid” one, swell. If you cannot, no sweat. And I’ll catch you on the rebound.
(Are you sick of my antique slang?)
"Less selection, higher prices."
Sounds like a Bernie Sanders economy. Sounds like "degrowth." Sounds like "locovore." Kind of shows that all economic idiocy, regardless of the label under which it's marketed, ends up producing the same cruddy results.
"(Are you sick of my antique slang?)"
No. One of the joys of being late-middle-aged is that we can use all the slang we've ever learned in our longish lives. I feel like it's an achievement when one of my teenaged or young adult children says, "Nobody says that anymore but you, Mama."
When I have free time later today. I’m going to watch that South Park episode. I saw enough this morning to appreciate the creative viciousness.
I looked up “reticent” to double check myself! I was raised by a newspaperman and a librarian, so I appreciate your frustration with inappropriate use of language (and grammar) and love of free speech.