Meme Nation, &c.
On ideas, non-ideas, Ukraine, Harley-Davidsons, the NBA playoffs, and more
Maybe your impression is different from mine, but I get the sense that American political campaigns are largely devoid of ideas. I hear little arguing over the size and scope of government. Little arguing over America’s role in the world.
No, it tends to be personalities, “vibes,” and memes. Our political culture has been badly degraded. This degradation is perhaps symbolized by the current look of the White House:
***
Linda Chavez made a wise observation the other day: “We are into a bread-and-circuses phase. But not so much bread,” given our economic challenges.
***
Have a look at this, if you would:
I am in the argument business. (At least that’s one of my businesses.) I must say, though, that if a person doesn’t see that this is wrong—in multiple respects—I don’t know what I would, or could, say to him.
Maybe that’s a bad admission, on my part …
***
For five-plus years, I have written a fair amount about January 6, and I’ll touch on it lightly today.
“The J6 Rioter Now Working at the Pentagon.” That is the heading over this piece from The Atlantic. The subheading is, “His hiring is part of a dangerous trend in the Trump administration.”
Yes. I will make a single point. Donald Trump was very clear in the 2024 campaign. He promised to pardon these people—all of them—and he hailed them, repeatedly, as patriots and heroes.
“We the People” voted with our eyes wide open. “Here, the people rule” (for better or worse).
***
Did you catch wind of this?
Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has erased hundreds of press releases from its website that detailed the charges against January 6 Capitol rioters—information the DOJ deemed “partisan propaganda.”
I think of a term associated with the Soviet Union: airbrushing. Hope it fails.
***
For about ten years, I’ve had a theme—well, many, but I’m thinking of this one: “Young people must think this is normal. How could they not?”
They have never known politics outside the Trump era. If they were twelve when the Republicans first nominated Trump—the first of three times (so far)—they are 22 today.
Here is the president of the United States, pronouncing on a political opponent:
Politics doesn’t have to be this way. It really doesn’t. But is it reasonable to expect a young person to know that? Except in the realm of theory?
***
A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with a lady about her family—her grandparents and their generation in particular. “They had no money, but they had class,” she said. “They knew right from wrong.”
***
Speaking of money: Once upon a time, our national debt and the federal budget deficit were a pretty big issue. We had a “tea party” movement, fired by this issue. Do you hear anything about the debt and deficit today?
Republicans control Washington: the House, the Senate, and, of course, the executive branch. During this period of “unitary control,” have they tackled the debt and deficit? Have they made a dent?
Do they even pay lip service?
This country is stuck with two major parties, and these parties are essentially statist.
Am I being cynical here? Hyperbolic? If so, only a little.
After the 2012 election, I interviewed Paul Ryan, who had been Mitt Romney’s running mate on the GOP ticket. He told me that he and Romney had been prepared to serve one term only, in order to accomplish hard and necessary things.
I would have liked to see that administration. I really would have.
***
This news report begins,
The Trump administration’s hesitancy in signing a major drone deal with Ukraine is slowing the U.S. military down in an area where it’s already trying to play catch-up.
Even as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Washington to make a deal, with talks between the two nations stretching back to at least September, the U.S. has so far refused to embrace Kyiv as a partner in its drone development.
The headline over the article says, “Trump drags feet on drone deal with Ukraine, mystifying experts.”
I am not in the least mystified. You?
***
Only one House Democrat joined the Republicans in voting to block aid to Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia. Can you guess who it was? Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota.
That’s just perfect.
***
The White House put out a little video, aimed at Republicans who have expressed concerns about the Iran war. Along with the video were these words:
To those negatively chirping: quiet. 🤫
It will all work out well in the end - it always does.
I was reminded of Ring Lardner’s classic line: “ ‘Shut up,’ he explained.”
***
This report, by Will Sommer, is really weird—but true to our time: “Inside MAGA’s Fake Gay Motorcycle War.” Apparently, the “influencers” have decided that Harley-Davidson is “woke” and, well, “gay.”
The things influencers know …
I could not help thinking of Tommy Thompson’s line. He was governor of Wisconsin, where Harley-Davidson is headquartered. “Wisconsin!” Thompson would say. “Where eagles soar and Harleys roar.” Sometimes he’d add “and Packers score.”
***
Is this the kind of thing a news network normally puts out? Well, this is a “new normal,” I suppose (a new normal that’s getting kind of long in the tooth, to be sure):
***
Behold what they have erected on Lincoln Center Plaza, here in New York. Reminds me of a TV show we had in the 1980s: Solid Gold—with the Solid Gold Dancers!
***
A confession: Once my Detroit Pistons lost in the second round of the NBA playoffs—the seventh game of that round, a nightmare night—I checked out of the playoffs. I was too bitter and angry to continue following them.
I am not yet mature enough for sports. Maybe someday.
But I must say, the young people around me are rooting so hard for the Knicks. I have caught their fever. Or rather, I so want them to be happy, and to get this championship.
The Knicks have not been NBA champions in … 53 years. It was 1973 (during Watergate, and more than a year before Nixon’s resignation).
***
Care for a little music? Here is a review of the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Semyon Bychkov. Their concert had a single work on it: the Bruckner Eighth. And here is a review of the soprano Lise Davidsen, in recital at Carnegie Hall with the pianist James Baillieu. Their program had a single composer on it: Franz Schubert.
The guy merits a night, or a hundred.
***
Robert Coles, the child psychiatrist, and multi-purpose writer, has died. For an engrossing obit in the New York Times, written by Douglas Martin, go here. I would like to paste an excerpt:
He told searing accounts illustrating elusive truths of a fast-changing society, beginning with the tale of Ruby Bridges, who as a 6-year-old walked through a screaming mob in 1960 as part of an effort to integrate a public school in New Orleans. . . .
The girl was threatened daily on her way to class. She was told her food was poisoned and she was kept isolated in a classroom without other students for a year.
Dr. Coles noticed that she seemed to be talking to the hostile white people, and asked her why. She said she was praying for them.
But why? “They need praying for,” the little girl said.
I so appreciate talking with you today, my friends. Thank you for reading. See you later.
“A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with a lady about her family—her grandparents and their generation in particular. “They had no money, but they had class,” she said. “They knew right from wrong.” “
I am reminded of stories I was told of my paternal grandmother.
Although I never met her, she painted, listened to opera and demanded that table manners be respected.
My Dad grew up in the type of poverty few can imagine, let alone endure. They lost their home in the Depression and rented a home owned by the construction company for whom my grandfather worked, for the rest of their lives.
But that was never an excuse to go to school wearing ripped or dirty clothing, to use foul language, or to allow oneself to be portrayed in a manner that was less than civil.
Thank you for the nice memory, Jay.
Who else misses the classic TV/music shows from yesteryear: Soul Train, Solid Gold, American Bandstand, Don Kirschner's Rock Concert, etc.? Don't get me started on the variety shows from that era.