27 V 2018: Archbishop Viganò’s smear campaign

The Pope has wisely suggested that all carefully read Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s denunciation for themselves and make up their own minds about it. However, it cannot be taken at face value, but must be read in context. This invective by the notorious homophobe Viganò is just the latest effort of a group of reactionary conspirators, among them Raymond Burke, to “make the Church great again,” i.e., to return it to the 1950s. Pope Francis is their target of choice, in small-circulation right-wing publications, in on-line reactionary web-sites, in lectures to embittered elders and naïve youth, and in whispered conversations in dark corners. I am astonished at the Pope’s patience with these insubordinate, disobedient clerics. Read Viganò’s undocumented, unsupported slurs and gripes carefully, and you will see the tell-tale signs of hatred and malice.

27 VIII 2018: If it acts like a Nazi …

I am struck by the parallels between the Nazi purges of undesirables and the Trump regime’s treatment of immigrants. Immigrants of color have been the traditional scape-goats of the Republican party who have long aroused the ignorant against immigrants. Trump continues this and has set in motion a program of ethnic cleansing. To carry out his ethnic cleansing he has turned ICE into an American SS, agents who hunt down immigrants of color, imprison them in concentration camps called “detention centers,” or as surreptitiously as possible expel them from the United States.

As with the Nazis, Trump is supported in this by a remarkably large number of people who demand a return an “authentic America” that is white, protestant, and patriarchal. Trump’s gross demagoguery encourages their delusions. Delusions, because white supremacy, state religion, and patriarchy are all falling away, as the urgent intensity of current attempts to reassert them make quite clear.

24 VII 2008: Back on the playground again

So Trumpie is going to cancel the security clearances of his critics, even of the ones, I understand, who have no security clearance. Again, we have evidence that “our Favorite President,” has never left the playground. Little Donald, neglected to the point of scorn at home, had hoped that his brilliance and heroic character would be given due attention and esteem on the playground. But it didn’t work out that way for the kid whom nobody likes. Now he’s really mad and is gonna get even with those doubters, even if he has to make a fool of himself to do it.

23 VII 2018: Hand me the disinfectant!

Today I received a text message from Rep. Devin Nunes urging me to get behind “Our President and conservative majority.” What have I done? Why should the despicable Nunes reach out to me? Oh, I know. Some time ago, when Nunes was blathering about impeaching Rod Rosenstein, I sent Nunes an email in which I expressed my conviction that it was he, Nunes, that ought to be impeached, and thus my email address got into his listserve. Rep. Nunes’ behavior since that time has only strengthened my conviction. He is a thoroughgoing Trumpite, an opportunist, and died-in-the-wool sycophant, who finds the truth so awkward that he has to make up lies and conspiracies. I guess I’ll have to soak my iphone in disinfectant overnight.

17 VII 2018: Freudian slip?

Trumpie’s latest. There was a negative left out from his “remarks” (he says he “mispoke”). So, while the world is watching, Trumpie says the opposite of what he means? Maybe Trump intended, for form’s sake, to use a negative, but slipped and said what he really believes. What does it matter? More lies, and such obvious lies, to cover up such obvious weakness and foolishness.

The Trump and Putin Show was like an encounter between two bullies in a schoolyard. Trump, the weaker struts and swaggers and intimidates the other kids, but only when Putin is not around. When Putin, by far the stronger, more ruthless, and more intelligent of the two, is present, the weaker bully is so afraid that Putin will beat him up in front of the other kids that he abases himself before Putin, like a dog in a surrender posture.

12 VII 2018: Contempt FOR Congress

“Contempt of Congress” is used to threaten those who can’t or won’t answer captious questions and cooperate with unalloyed stupidity. But I’m free, so far, to feel and express my contempt for Congress. I watched some of the interrogation of Agent Peter Strzok on TV. The Republicans were sweating and straining to force reality to appear as they wanted it to appear, but Mr. Strzok’s tough and dexterous answers thwarted them at every turn. So three cheers for Strzok! – three raspberries for the Republican marionettes on the committee! I feel annoyed by the silliness of congressmen, as always. But their kissing up to the Trump, the American Nero, makes me feel ashamed.

10 VII 2018: Brett Kavanaugh, the fix is in

Brett Kavanaugh begins his quest for a place on the Supreme Court by telling a Trumpian lie: “No president has ever consulted more widely, or talked with more people from more backgrounds, to seek input about a Supreme Court nomination” The whole point of choosing Kavanaugh is to prevent the judicial branch from bringing Trump to timely justice. This is another axe-blow at the roots of American democracy.

7 VII 2018: Where should we look for barbarism?

CNN reports some of the stated views of Kansas State Senator Steve Fitzgerald, a candidate for the House of Representatives:

“Outside of Western civilization there is only barbarism.”

This very statement suggests he knows much more about barbarism than about any civilization.

“Our Judeo-Christian ethic is what is civilization.”

But wait, he virtually excludes the Judeo- part:

“And that is under attack here and abroad.

It goes by a different name. Christendom. It’s under attack.”

Who does he think he is, Urban II? and here’s that buzz-word Christendomwhich is dog-whistle talk for “us” as opposed to “them.”

“And even speaking about it can bring you under attack.

It has brought me under attack.”

Why do you suppose he was he attacked and by whom? I am a Christian and would gladly attack him because in his speech and attitude he is traducing Christianity and making a laughing-stock of Western civilization.

The article also reports that he maintains that Planned Parenthood is worse than a Nazi concentration camp.

Clearly he must know nothing either about Planned Parenthood or about Nazi concentration camps, but that does not keep him from pontificating like Archie Bunker (remember when Archie was funny?). Mr. Fitzgerald looks like a ready candidate for the unFreedom Caucus. Is he really such so ignorant? or is he cunningly pitching this foolishness to the ignoramuses in his district? I’m afraid he and his constituency bear grievous testimony to the state of American education. Trump and all he represents are only symptoms of the decay of our schools. It is the collapse of our educational system that is undermining American democracy more extensively and more irretrievably than Trump and all his minions.