Donald, I imagine things were quiet there in DC first thing this morning, that the stink of the tear gas has cleared, that the spent shells were swept away overnight, and that all the Confederate and MAGA paraphernalia littering the Capitol was relegated to the dustbin (though I’m sure a few sympathizers pocketed some bits … Continue reading Yesterday morning, before
Propaganda
Over-reliance on oracles
To: The Supreme Gaslighter About a third of the way into my walk this morning I realized I’d forgotten my phone at home (I got out of practice with my morning routine over the holidays). I’m chagrined to admit that I only realized this when I wondered whether the weather arbiter that lives inside my … Continue reading Over-reliance on oracles
Vacation days ~ deserved and undeserved
To: The Loutish Loafer I don’t think I told you that I’m taking today, tomorrow, and Thursday off from work. I would normally take the whole week off, but this year it feels important that both my co-facilitator and I be present for the group we run on Wednesday mornings, so Wednesday will be a … Continue reading Vacation days ~ deserved and undeserved
24 more days to go with a maniac on the loose
To: The Treasonous Chicken No one wants to lose a game of “chicken,” but I think the deal is that if you don’t want to lose such games, you really shouldn’t initiate them. Now that you’ve lost a very public, very consequential game of chicken it’s clear you’re trying to spin having signed the relief … Continue reading 24 more days to go with a maniac on the loose
Mass hysteria on steroids
To: The Tool It’s clearly not a new phenomenon in either our longer-term collective history or when it comes to you and your base, but given the phenomenal degree of nutso-ness (a totally technical term, btw) I’m not finished unpacking mass hysteria. Here’s the definition that my Google algorithm delivers (from Wikipedia): “In sociology and … Continue reading Mass hysteria on steroids
POTUS meets COVID
President* Trump, I know it doesn’t matter exactly which US COVID cases you and Melania represent, but perhaps you’re #7,499,990 and she’s #7,499,991, the latter being the current (as of this minute at 7:04am PST) figure on the Worldometer site. Or maybe she’s #7,499,990 and you’re #7,499,991 since perhaps this is the one time in … Continue reading POTUS meets COVID
Meta-aikido counter distraction
President* Trump, I thought we were supposed to get some rain starting sometime today, but my weather app is now saying it won’t be until Friday and that thunder and lightening are forecast for Thursday. In this weird gray space we’re in – the air quality is still “very unhealthy” – none of this is … Continue reading Meta-aikido counter distraction
The wheels are coming off the Trump bus
President* Trump, Laura and I drove down to Portland this morning to see my mom and then back again this evening. Despite the masks and social distancing, we had a really nice visit and it was so good to see her – it’d been a long time. There weren’t nearly as many Trump signs along … Continue reading The wheels are coming off the Trump bus
Gaslighting (or he keeps looking straight into the camera without blinking)
President* Trump, I learned today that not everyone knows what “gaslighting” means so because it’s such an important weapon of yours I thought it would be a good idea to define it (and don’t worry, I know you know what it is so this isn’t for you): verb gerund or present participle: gaslighting manipulate (someone) … Continue reading Gaslighting (or he keeps looking straight into the camera without blinking)
False halos and desecrated hallelujahs
President* Trump, Did you do it yourself or was there someone on the construction crew who is about your height who got to (had to) pretend they are you at the lectern while others figured out whether the round US seal that was going to frame your head was positioned just right from all the … Continue reading False halos and desecrated hallelujahs