I really did have a much needed lazy day yesterday and did not do a post. But today, I am a little more active with the post done and now I am off to see my mother. I have some new clothes for her so I am hoping she likes them.
Short Takes
Washington Post — For some, the improbable presidential candidacy of Donald Trumpstopped being funny long ago. Republican eminences and custodians of the establishment gawk at the GOP front-runner's belligerent braggadocio, his irreverent attacks on party grandees, his far-fetched proposals, his aversion to substance or basic facts, and his not even thinly veiled bigotry.
And yet, Trump stands on the cusp of winning the Republican nomination, impervious to the slings and arrows of a growing list of vanquished foes.
There is one man, though, who seems to have also mastered the art of branding and showmanship for an adoring if partisan public — in a completely opposite fashion.
Canada's new Liberal prime minister, Justin Trudeau, stormed to a stunning electoral victory last year. He did so while coping with the attacks of opponents who cast him as an inexperienced, slightly buffoonish dilettante trading on a powerful family legacy. Sound familiar?
But Trudeau's progressive, inclusive message could not be more different than that of Trump. Here's a rundown.
This coming week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet Barak Obama during a state visit to Washington. From a few headlines I've seen, Trudeau it seems is a bit of a celebrity in the US. Today, he is scheduled to be on 60 Minutes. But probably what is most revealing is that he is being hearalded as the "anti-Trump". Click through to see how he is perceived as the "anti-Trump". There are several short videos too.
YouTube —
Bill Maher's New Rules is spot on!
Alternet — Right-wing populists ascend when three toxic forces converge. First, the economy needs to be really lousy for most citizens. Check.
Second, the political system ceases to be able to solve problems and loses legitimacy with regular people. Check.
Third, some foreign menace causes people to seek shelter in a strongman. Check.
Click through for the remainder of this excellent article. Comparisons between Trump and Hitler have been made for months now. I started revisiting my history classes to get a feel for what was happening in Germany during Hitler's rise. And it seems that the first part of the article pretty much captures my thinking. To me, there's no two ways about it, Trump is a scary idiot.
Upworthy — The Empowerment Plan makes coats that double as sleeping bags for the homeless, but they didn't stop there. They also provide people who have struggled with homelessness with jobs they need to get back on their feet again.
What a great idea. The old saying, getting two birds with one stone is so appropriate.
My Universe —
6 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 06/03/2016”
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Alternet: Definitely scary! Interesting perspective on the idea that the populists do not care about inconsistencies, and the like.
So, who has been training those cats to behave badly?
Maher is great, but he may have missed James inhofe getting hit wth some virus that would normally not have been in the Oklahoma lake in which he swam, were it not for global warming.
Personally, I think new closthes are always fun. (There, I suppose, speaks the costumer in me LOL.)
WaPo – While we poor voters are aghast at how awful Trump can be, and feel like we are in Germany in the 1930's, I would think the Republican establishment would be getting a taste of how the German establishment felt about Hitler in those days. I hope they won't make the same mistake that was made at the time – of allowing him power because they thought they could control him. Actually from what I am hearing from them they know they couldn't. But it may already be too late to stop him.
New Rules – OMG, that shot of Gingrich's wife looks just like Chris Christie standing behind Drumpf on Super Tuesday!! The empathy part is not really new, we all know the problem, but better said than itusually (if ever) is.
AlterNet – And Cruz, the Dominionist, is even scarier. Drumpf is at least distractable. Cruz has one agenda, to make us all into cookie cutter sheep "Christians" like himself (never mind Jesus would not recognize any as being a follower of his) and keep us that way under Dominionist Law.
Upworthy – What I like about this is that they LISTEN to the people they serve and do not condescend. It is SO easy to fall into that pattern. Trying to help, one needs to bite one's tongue a lot to be successful.
Universe – Oh, come on. Cats are cats. Not everyone should live with them. If you want to live with them and keep your sanity, you need to learn to lead them not into temptaion.
Washington Post: I watched most of the Trudeau interview on 60 MInutes. I like him, and wish we had someone that progressive in the White House next time.
Youtube: Couldn't get the audio on this one, still having PC problems.
Alternet: A very thought provoking article, everyone needs to read it and think about the consequences of voting for Trump.
Upworthy: What a wonderful idea. I love Upworthy.
Cartoon: Oreo and Sparky were highly offended by this but after I watched it, I had to agree with it. LOL
After all that running around last week I think you were entitled to a lazy day, Lynn. I hope your mother liked her new clothes.
WaPo: I think Trudeau is the best thing that happened to Canada for a long time, but Ishaan Tharoor did not have to go far from home to find the anti-Trump. In much of these matters you find Bernie Sanders diametrically opposes Drumpf. True, Bernie isn't as charismatic as Justin nor does he have te confidence that what he says and does is carried by a party that was elected to become the majority party in Canada. As we see what happened to Barak Obama, who I thought was the best thing that had happened to America in a long time too, and in many ways is the anti-Trump too, having the majority in government/congress behind you and thinking like you do, makes all the difference and in fact can make or brake you. Drumpf may do well to remember that.
YouTube: Thanks for posting, Lynn, I hadn't seen Bill for a while and I really missed his sharp wit. He's absolutely right in pointing out Republicans have no empathy except when it happens to them. And even then I doubt they feel true empathy, unless it is for themselves of course. When it happens to a family member it is more of an inconvenient truth they are made to deal with because it has become public.
Alternet: If you really want to get a feel what was happening in the 1930s and what parallels with today are, have a look at the whole of Europe in that era. It's easy to dismiss Hitler as a quirk of German culture, but other European cultures had their fascism with Mussolini in Italy and Franco in Spain. They all started in the same period under the same conditions and these conditions are met all over the world right now. But enough of the past; the most important message in this article is that Hillary Clinton (establishment) may not defeat Drumpf (fascist populist) because the Bernie (progressive populist) voters may rather vote for a populist than for establishment. Bernie however could defeat Drumpf, but isn't likely to get the nomination, neither by votes not in establishment backing. This analysis is going around for a while here in Europe too, and it doesn't bode well. Democrats need to get ALL their votes out because disillusioned Bernie voters may either stay at home or vote Drumpf. Bernie already cautioned his base to vote Democratic no matter what. The man is such a realist.
Upwothy: I had heard of Veronica Scott's empowerment plan before, but by making a video about it and publishing it, Upworthy makes sure that this wonderful enterprise that works both ways – a very ingenious product for the homeless and jobs for some of these homeless – will get more attention and can do good on a larger scale. Kudos to Veronica Scott and Upworthy.
My Universe: Aren't they just! What is with this tipping things of tables and ledges?
WP: Good things in store for Canada with Mr.Trudeau, we, here in the USA, can only hope. Go Bernie!!!
UTube: Love Bill. He's so spot on with issues from these selfish,narcissistic crazies.! I enjoyed watching Sarah Silverman's gabfest w/Bill too. She's feeling the BERN too!
Upworthy: Helping people and Changing the World. What a video!!!
My Universe: Yes, they are…but dogs can be AH's too. Mine is very jealous of the cat, she teases her, waits for her to nap, and then wakes her up. Through no fault of her own…of course. LOL.
I hope that your mother will enjoy her new clothes, and that you got a chance to regroup. I w/be in and out next week, as it's school Spring Break here, and have road trips to go on with family. I'm looking forward to spending time with them. Enjoy your day, and Thanks, Lynn.
Have fun with your Mom!
Good catch on Maher. I couldn't find it yesterday.
We are not assholes, biy ours are magnificent!