Project Freedom turns into a shooting match, Congress vanishes, Trump attacks the pope, and the “red, white, and blue dome” over Hormuz looks less like an ad campaign.
Suppose ANY other leader was posting deranged rants in the small hours, insulting the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics, threatening entire civilizations with annihilation, and comparing himself to God.
This is not going to end well. I just hope the rest of us survive.
I never really cared for Chris Farley, but your essay today brought him to mind.
He had a recurring skit on SNL in which he played a clumsy, dopey talk-show host. His tagline was "Remember when--?" That question would include the most obvious highlights about his celebrity guest.
What occurred to me is - remember when we had experienced military leaders running the DoD? Remember when we didn't need to send peacemakers to converse with the Pope? Remember when we didn't engage in wars (okay, conflicts) unless we were forced to, or at least thought we'd win? Remember when we actively researched renewable energy sources instead of letting the oil barons control our nation's future? Remember when we had a Supreme Court that wasn't corrupt? Remember when we had people in Congress who would try to do the right thing even if it went against their party's agenda?
Remember when we had a president with genuine intelligence, a strong education, experience in governance, and strived to lead America for all the people?
Yeh. The good ol' days.
(p.s. Why, Mary, I thought your middle name is "Subtle.")
I highly object to Rubio or any other government official trying to smooth things over with the head of any religious organization, as if that organization has ANYTHING to do with commenting on or being consulting about the policies of our secular government. Trump is awful, but Pope Leo needs to pay attention to the melt down of the NY Archdiocese over the abuse scandals and stay the hell OUT of national affairs. Can you tell I'm pissed and extremely tired of the role we allow religion to play in our national affairs and government??
well, as an atheist I have no allegiance to the Pope, but it seems to me it's part of his job to comment on the morality of significant events in the world, and not just of members of his Church. Doing so is not interfering in American politics. It's American politics that are creating injustice and suffering in the world, and the Pope gets to say so. Others may disagree with his opinions.
Trump has an office of religious affairs run by a thoroughly despicable woman ... maybe start there with the separation of church and state theme (and I would agree).
“And through it all, the same unifying thread keeps emerging: The people making the decisions are insulated from the consequences, and the people living with them are not.”
The oligarchs and their allies have a lot going for them that feeds their apparent sense of invulnerability. But we’re not powerless - not by a long shot. There’s much we can do to protect elections and get out the vote.
Truth (thank you, Mary and Shanley) and an optimistic vision for the future are powerful antidotes to nihilism, corruption, lies and tyranny in service of billionaires and their political operatives.
Thank you Mary. I always appreciate your take on chaos central mishegoss emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. One question: do you think there are any sane, intelligent people who hold Pete Hegseth in “especially high regard”? I have doubts!
I love the ironic flavour of this piece - though I wish you hadn't had to write it...
Me too
Me too!
Suppose ANY other leader was posting deranged rants in the small hours, insulting the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics, threatening entire civilizations with annihilation, and comparing himself to God.
This is not going to end well. I just hope the rest of us survive.
Don't you find that Hegseth's rhetoric is like a 12-year-old who has just discovered GI Joe comics?
Absolutely
Hagueseth is still the angry 12-year-old bully he's always been!
Naturally, the next logical step was to pick a fight with the pope. I love it. Thank you Mary.
I never really cared for Chris Farley, but your essay today brought him to mind.
He had a recurring skit on SNL in which he played a clumsy, dopey talk-show host. His tagline was "Remember when--?" That question would include the most obvious highlights about his celebrity guest.
What occurred to me is - remember when we had experienced military leaders running the DoD? Remember when we didn't need to send peacemakers to converse with the Pope? Remember when we didn't engage in wars (okay, conflicts) unless we were forced to, or at least thought we'd win? Remember when we actively researched renewable energy sources instead of letting the oil barons control our nation's future? Remember when we had a Supreme Court that wasn't corrupt? Remember when we had people in Congress who would try to do the right thing even if it went against their party's agenda?
Remember when we had a president with genuine intelligence, a strong education, experience in governance, and strived to lead America for all the people?
Yeh. The good ol' days.
(p.s. Why, Mary, I thought your middle name is "Subtle.")
I highly object to Rubio or any other government official trying to smooth things over with the head of any religious organization, as if that organization has ANYTHING to do with commenting on or being consulting about the policies of our secular government. Trump is awful, but Pope Leo needs to pay attention to the melt down of the NY Archdiocese over the abuse scandals and stay the hell OUT of national affairs. Can you tell I'm pissed and extremely tired of the role we allow religion to play in our national affairs and government??
well, as an atheist I have no allegiance to the Pope, but it seems to me it's part of his job to comment on the morality of significant events in the world, and not just of members of his Church. Doing so is not interfering in American politics. It's American politics that are creating injustice and suffering in the world, and the Pope gets to say so. Others may disagree with his opinions.
Trump has an office of religious affairs run by a thoroughly despicable woman ... maybe start there with the separation of church and state theme (and I would agree).
You certainly have a way with words! Thank you! 🙏
“And through it all, the same unifying thread keeps emerging: The people making the decisions are insulated from the consequences, and the people living with them are not.”
The oligarchs and their allies have a lot going for them that feeds their apparent sense of invulnerability. But we’re not powerless - not by a long shot. There’s much we can do to protect elections and get out the vote.
Truth (thank you, Mary and Shanley) and an optimistic vision for the future are powerful antidotes to nihilism, corruption, lies and tyranny in service of billionaires and their political operatives.
trump is scheduled to visit China mid-May. I wonder what President Xi Jinping will say to him. What will be achieved other than wasting jet fuel.
Thank you Mary. I always appreciate your take on chaos central mishegoss emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. One question: do you think there are any sane, intelligent people who hold Pete Hegseth in “especially high regard”? I have doubts!
And by the way…tax payers will now pay A BILLION dollars for security in the bleeping Ballroom! 🤬
I read a news bleep today that republican,Beth Van Duyne, criticized democrats spending habits.