A public announcement meant to project strength instead exposes something else. As Donald Trump unveils a grand vision of military power, reporters press him on unresolved questions he clearly doesn’t want to answer. The moment captures a familiar pattern: spectacle deployed to redirect attention, nostalgia used as authority, and grievance framed as leadership.
This essay follows the consequences of that approach beyond the headlines, tracing how distraction, delay, and institutional compliance ripple outward. From the slow release of uncomfortable records to changes inside the military and the economic fallout hitting working communities, it examines what gets ignored while the focus stays fixed on performance, and why the timing of all of it matters. I’ve genuinely loved reading and thinking through these roundups with you every day. Clearly my idea of being “festive” is swapping in a holiday mug while reading about institutional decay. As the holidays arrive, thank you for being here, for staying thoughtful and sharp, and for keeping me company through the noise. Please rest when you can, stay warm, and may your holidays be significantly calmer than the news cycle.
And if not, at least the mugs will be seasonally appropriate. Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming poll, we are getting ready to launch mugs and we need some input from Mary’s subscribers!
