Having read just Martin Chuzzlewit and considered the isolationism only overcome by Pearl Harbor, I think jingoism, ignorance of the world, and rank stupidity are as American as greed, xenophobia, and racism.
What Dickens saw in 19th century America is what I’ve seen in 20th and 21st century America. What I’ve learned of the intractability of culture (think of it as an almost immovable object akin to genetics and family traditions combined) convinces me the relatively international nature of American governance (“international” meaning Europe and the concerns of European nations; Vietnam, hem hem. And don’t make me stop this car and explain to you the French connection there!) after WWII until Trump was always the exception (aberration), that proved the rule.
The rubber band snapped back, to put it bluntly. What is Stephen Miller after, if not to purge the country of all the people not here (as in, not acknowledged), in the 1950’s? What a lot of white men are still taught to want, long after the Civil Rights movement is an historical monument and Obama’s election proved we aren’t racist anymore anywhere in America. Trying to return to a status quo we shouldn’t want at all, IOW.
I heard a fired government employee interviewed today’s who said she was told the point was to eliminate any sign or suggestion of DEI and accessibility. As I said, Trump’s been told the ramps in the White House are historic (built for FDR), because if he knew they were required by the ADA, he’d want to tear them out. Civil rights are only for able-bodied white men who like Trump. They are the only people who deserve them. The way the Founding Fathers meant. Really.
But lots of people like to think that way, about their friends. At least enough people to think Trump is worth…something.
I don’t think he’s worth the paper these thoughts are printed on. I mean, as a public servant; or anything other than another old rich man, for whom I have no real responsibility or concern. I don’t wish him ill. I just don’t wish him to be POTUS.
Which is about all I can really do to oppose him, especially considering I’m highly unlikely to see my representatives in Congress being Democrats in, we, my lifetime.
Dese are de conditions dat prevail.
