Remember many years ago a terrible tv show called "The Gong Show" where the worst of the worst acts competed for something? Today we have "The Gong Show Cabinet." Let's see: Sec'y of Defense--er--War, or H-Bomb, NukeMeNow, SendInThePretty...Has his own makeup room in the Pentagon, has his next wife to keep him from slipping into a bottle and another woman's skirt, Check. Next Sec'y of Education---um---Sec'y Against Education, Wrestling is better than Koledge, appears in her own video game punching out other females. Check. Next is Sec'y of Brain Worms, Swimming in Raw Sewage, Vaccines Are from Aliens and Make You Gay, Eat More Road Kill. Check. Next, do I have to go on? You get the point.
In any other Administration Hegseth would have resigned and faced criminal liability for the Signal Gate debacle. Pete you can shoot out all the social media you want everybody knows you're an entirely fake and overwhelmed imposter at what you're doing. You're embarrassing yourself, the Armed Forces and the Nation.
Dear Bill Kristol, I so respect and admire you, and I know you were referencing Jefferson, but here in this time, after all this time, can we toss the exclusive phrase “all men created equal”? Especially in a piece lauding the equality of all immigrants. Over half of us are not men.
I have admired Gordon Wood since I began formally studying American history when I was 14. I see his The Radicalism of the American Revolution as a critical book of the period. While he had taken a beating from younger historians over the last 20 years, Wood has been resolute in his position. His ideas must be contended with if one’s opinions or scholarship is to be taken seriously.
His emphatic statement regarding America as a creedal nation is most welcome. Other public intellectuals and historians should do the same.
Andrew, for as long as I have been reading him, has sought to declare the beginning of the end of the Trumpist world. All of us want to see this poor excuse for a cock roach die. Yet, time after time, he has not only refused to die but has thrived. He even survived the political equivalent of a nuclear disaster and came back to occupy office again. I have decided that, like economic forecasting, declaring the political end of Trump is a mugs game. I will wait longer to believe he has been set back, let alone, died.
Professor Wood’s piece in the WSJ was spot on and how Americans are actually defined., not this “Heritage American” blather. And the “Secretary of War” is a pathetic former field grade officer (lowest rank in this grade) who seems to think like a frustrated company grade who knows better than those “dumb” senior officers. Senator Kelly, a retired Navy Captain is, on the other hand, a class act.
As Andrew suggests, gross incompetence will be the defining theme for the collapse of Trump, and his absurd, half-assed plan for this nation. When you are a power obsessed, but extremely weak and not very capable leader, you will surround yourself with not very bright loyalist sycophants. Job competency not being the major prerequisite. And their misfires will backfire on you most explosively. Most recent detonation: Lindsey Halligan. But they're all rough low light equivalents. If he were even an iota stronger, Trump might be able to come to his senses. And realize he simply has got to regroup- immediately. Or fail into some never seen before pile of political ash and rubble.
I agree with Andrew. I think we see the outlines of his impending collapse. And it will arrive in clearly defined downward steps. Starting with the anticipated change of the house ownership, and maybe even the senate. And I feel good enough to say right now, quite possibly the office of the most powerful person in the world, a little bit later, for good measure. I have a feeling the celebration for our 250th birthday next summer may be joyful, in ways we might it not have been expecting. Without getting prematurely too excited, everything seems to be pointing in that general direction.
Regarding the Trump White House's purchasing controlling interests in private companies: this looks lot like WA Inc., a 1980s scandal involving the West Australian State Government and a conglomeration of dodgy businesses. The result was disastrous for all involved, but did lead to an overhaul of governance procedures. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WA_Inc
Thanks for this. The kind of thing that i relish about reading the comments - facts, history, ideas that are new or forgotten or too soon dismissed because i did not devote enough time & intellectual effort. The community of thoughtful, caring folks around here keep me informed and wiser than i would otherwise be.
So, thanks again.
(And i do seem to have a 'thing' for all things Down Under that comes from decades of many serendipitous and always interesting comparisons and contrasts between our respective societies.)
It is fascinating to compare and contrast Australia and the US.
Both English speaking, multicultural democracies with a strong federal structure; both with skeletons in closets regarding indigenous people; both trying to overcome a history of segregation by race; both have a rather ambiguous relationship with the UK; both oddly proud of famous outlaws.
But also with some very clear differences; Australia is far less religious, we have a mainstream socialist party and trust government more (while being arguably less differential to wealth and fame).
Completely agree with your summary! Which is exactly the source of my mild obsession.
Finally just seeing this now - i operate on Slow Time more often than not! - and i thought i would just mention one of those curious encounters with all things Australian during the last fifty-plus years. A forgotten novel from a wonderful used book store many years ago that has stuck with me ever since:
Unfortunately, since Gabrielle Zevin's novel of the same name came out in 2022, finding any mention of Bradshaw's visionary story of a possible future is way down the list of search results so i fear it may become even more of a lost literary treasure. Which is exactly why i sometimes take the time to share its existence with fellow travellers! It was actually coauthored by two women who collaboratively wrote other works.
Imagining that such a literary collaboration could have ever resulted in such a novel in America seems impossible - and therein lies the reason that Down Under 'stuff' of all sorts resonates with me; we are so much alike and yet so different. Compare and Contrast. Revise.
And after doing so, i usually feel that American society has stopped or at least dramatically slowed down its national learning curve while our natural geopolitical 'twins' have kept growing, including Canada, along with Australia and New Zealand. The UK also seems to have become stagnant in ways that mirror the US. Since my wife of over four decades is English, i feel justified in putting our two nations in the Dunce's Corner for much of the past few decades, at least. Victims of our own arrogance due to the past glories of Empire. Hubris before a Fall.
Anyway, forgive the long ramble while letting the mind wander during a relaxed Sunday after our Thanksgiving holiday; a welcome distraction to our current politics and the typical news & commentary found here on the Bulwark.
Thank you for the information on 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,' I had never heard of Barnard and Eldershaw, which is a shame as they were obviously good writers, I notice that Patrick White, no mean writer himself praised the book.
I am currently reading the Jindyworobaks, a school of Australian nationalist writers who flourished from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. They rejected Australia's cultural and political subordination to the UK and believed that Aboriginal art and spirituality should form the basis of Australian national identity, so were very much ahead of their time in taking a sympathetic interest in Indigenous culture and in questioning the heroes of White Australia, for example this poem, written at a time when pioneers were seen as unambiguously admirable figures.
RETREAT OF A PIONEER
Vacant he sits, sucking his yellowed teeth;
hostile to change, sprawling uneasy feet
that bullock-dray and shuffling camel knew.
Half-blind from sand; the tribes he stole from dead
the land he raped made barren as his mind.
The Jindies were complex and controversial figures, Ian Maudie, who wrote the above, was pro-Nazi and was lucky not to have been interned as a security threat during WWII. This didn't stop him from becoming a respected elder of Australian literature, his fascist past overlooked.
As to why Australia and Canada are in better political shape than the US and UK, I can only speculate in regard to Australia that it is due to;
Compulsory voting combined with a suspicion of radicalism , pushing both sides of politics toward the center.
Strongly measures against illegal immigration, depriving the far right of an issue they have exploited in the US and UK (during his first term Trump told our then Prime Minister who was explaining Australian measures against illegal immigration ' That is a good idea. We should do that too. You are worse than I am.').
A stronger social security system, which enjoys broad public support.
A lack of constitutionally guaranteed rights, which makes the High Court of Australia far less political than its American counterpart, and ensures that access to abortion and same sex marriage are backed by broad public support, not simply the opinions of judges, making these much less controversial with.
A political climate in which free speech is seen as a privilege not a right, making it easier for governments, both left and right to crack down on extremism.
Australians are less religious, making religious fundamentalists minor players in the Australian political system.
No primary elections, candidates are chosen by party grandees rather than voters, which weeds out people with extreme views.
However we certainly have our problems;
For example; while the two main parties, Liberal and Labor are moderate right and moderate left respectively both are facing declining public support and extremist parties of both left and right are gaining ground.
Our social cohesion is fraying at the edges, with declining trust in institutions, driven I suspect by the growth of social media and Australian society becoming far more culturally diverse.
Our social safety net is eroding, you see far more homeless people than in the past and hard won social programs, such as free health care and education, being cut back (so, for example, we have seen the retirement age raised and fewer and fewer doctors offering medical care based funded by Medicare (national health).
There is a growth in violent extremism, from both sides of politics, forcing State Governments to pass stronger anti-protest laws (while the Australian constitution does contain an implied right to freedom of speech in political matters this has not stopped State governments from passing laws regulating protest, with heavy fines or substantial prisons sentences as deterrents to protestors who, for example, block roads or display Nazi symbols).
Australians are failing to act respond effectively to the rise of China and the US becoming a less reliable strategic partner.
Equally both sides of politics are in denial about climate change and its potential impact. The Liberals / Nationals minimize the impact, Labor talks about climate change but continues to support coal mining, neither is planning adequately for the challenges we are likely to encounter.
Most seriously support for democracy is dropping, particularly among young people.
While an Australian Trump is not imminent, such a figure is no longer unthinkable either.
Will try to respond in the coming week because you did such a splendid job of continuing the conversation. Much to think about; grist for the mill of my obsession with learning what we can about Australia's path as a guide to improving our own.
Its astounding how many incompetent, untrustworthy, inauthentic, hateful, toxic, grifting, unprincipled, shameless, narcissistic personalities make up the US administration. A collection of people you'd never want as your friends, neighbours, family or co-workers. Even their loyalty to the clown is self-serving. Just gross.
"But he was forced to turn on a dime when congressional Republicans got wind of the plan and sent him an unambiguous message: No way are we supporting this."
""Speaker Mike Johnson has told the White House that most House Republicans have little interest in extending the Affordable Care Act's enhanced subsidies"
I know the RINOs have a hard time with math, but let's take a quick look at the numbers anyway. Maybe we can use them to convince [speaker Johnson] that he's whistling past the graveyard if he's certain the votes aren't there to support the [XFG's] latest flip-flop.
* Currently there are 219 RINOs and 213 Dems (with three vacancies).
* Two Repubs cosponsored legislation to extend the subsidies: Don Bacon, and Jeff Hurd.
* That leaves 217 RINOs and with Bacon and Hurd in favor that means 215 yeas.
* Add Rep Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va) who cosponsored a bill in Sept calling for extensions (H.R.5145) and Kevin Kiley who cosponsored a bill in early Nov on extending the ACA tax credits and subsidies. The new totals are 217 yeas and 215 nays.
* What are the odds that Johnson has the clout to woo back the four desertions plus any others, especially after the [XFG] stated he's open to a possible extension?
* A Floor vote is called and there are four or more RINOs who actually care about their constituents, Johnson goes down in flames.
Thank you Andrew and Bill for great posts. Gordon Wood's remarks are so insightful and important. Best wishes, Steve
why doesn’t he go away? One way or another? the harm he is doing to this nation is unspeakable. No words for it
Remember many years ago a terrible tv show called "The Gong Show" where the worst of the worst acts competed for something? Today we have "The Gong Show Cabinet." Let's see: Sec'y of Defense--er--War, or H-Bomb, NukeMeNow, SendInThePretty...Has his own makeup room in the Pentagon, has his next wife to keep him from slipping into a bottle and another woman's skirt, Check. Next Sec'y of Education---um---Sec'y Against Education, Wrestling is better than Koledge, appears in her own video game punching out other females. Check. Next is Sec'y of Brain Worms, Swimming in Raw Sewage, Vaccines Are from Aliens and Make You Gay, Eat More Road Kill. Check. Next, do I have to go on? You get the point.
Just because we don't have a medical diagnosis doesn't mean we can't observe that this is a photo of a sick old man.
In any other Administration Hegseth would have resigned and faced criminal liability for the Signal Gate debacle. Pete you can shoot out all the social media you want everybody knows you're an entirely fake and overwhelmed imposter at what you're doing. You're embarrassing yourself, the Armed Forces and the Nation.
Top work, Andrew. Really well written.
A sad sAAAQAaAAZa AAA AAA AAA a a sawaas as aqq
Dear Bill Kristol, I so respect and admire you, and I know you were referencing Jefferson, but here in this time, after all this time, can we toss the exclusive phrase “all men created equal”? Especially in a piece lauding the equality of all immigrants. Over half of us are not men.
Thank you for spotlighting Gen. Hertling's letter from Clauswitz. It is a thing of wisdom and beauty.
I have admired Gordon Wood since I began formally studying American history when I was 14. I see his The Radicalism of the American Revolution as a critical book of the period. While he had taken a beating from younger historians over the last 20 years, Wood has been resolute in his position. His ideas must be contended with if one’s opinions or scholarship is to be taken seriously.
His emphatic statement regarding America as a creedal nation is most welcome. Other public intellectuals and historians should do the same.
Andrew, for as long as I have been reading him, has sought to declare the beginning of the end of the Trumpist world. All of us want to see this poor excuse for a cock roach die. Yet, time after time, he has not only refused to die but has thrived. He even survived the political equivalent of a nuclear disaster and came back to occupy office again. I have decided that, like economic forecasting, declaring the political end of Trump is a mugs game. I will wait longer to believe he has been set back, let alone, died.
Professor Wood’s piece in the WSJ was spot on and how Americans are actually defined., not this “Heritage American” blather. And the “Secretary of War” is a pathetic former field grade officer (lowest rank in this grade) who seems to think like a frustrated company grade who knows better than those “dumb” senior officers. Senator Kelly, a retired Navy Captain is, on the other hand, a class act.
As Andrew suggests, gross incompetence will be the defining theme for the collapse of Trump, and his absurd, half-assed plan for this nation. When you are a power obsessed, but extremely weak and not very capable leader, you will surround yourself with not very bright loyalist sycophants. Job competency not being the major prerequisite. And their misfires will backfire on you most explosively. Most recent detonation: Lindsey Halligan. But they're all rough low light equivalents. If he were even an iota stronger, Trump might be able to come to his senses. And realize he simply has got to regroup- immediately. Or fail into some never seen before pile of political ash and rubble.
I agree with Andrew. I think we see the outlines of his impending collapse. And it will arrive in clearly defined downward steps. Starting with the anticipated change of the house ownership, and maybe even the senate. And I feel good enough to say right now, quite possibly the office of the most powerful person in the world, a little bit later, for good measure. I have a feeling the celebration for our 250th birthday next summer may be joyful, in ways we might it not have been expecting. Without getting prematurely too excited, everything seems to be pointing in that general direction.
Regarding the Trump White House's purchasing controlling interests in private companies: this looks lot like WA Inc., a 1980s scandal involving the West Australian State Government and a conglomeration of dodgy businesses. The result was disastrous for all involved, but did lead to an overhaul of governance procedures. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WA_Inc
Thanks for this. The kind of thing that i relish about reading the comments - facts, history, ideas that are new or forgotten or too soon dismissed because i did not devote enough time & intellectual effort. The community of thoughtful, caring folks around here keep me informed and wiser than i would otherwise be.
So, thanks again.
(And i do seem to have a 'thing' for all things Down Under that comes from decades of many serendipitous and always interesting comparisons and contrasts between our respective societies.)
Thank you.
It is fascinating to compare and contrast Australia and the US.
Both English speaking, multicultural democracies with a strong federal structure; both with skeletons in closets regarding indigenous people; both trying to overcome a history of segregation by race; both have a rather ambiguous relationship with the UK; both oddly proud of famous outlaws.
But also with some very clear differences; Australia is far less religious, we have a mainstream socialist party and trust government more (while being arguably less differential to wealth and fame).
Anyhow glad you liked my comment.
Completely agree with your summary! Which is exactly the source of my mild obsession.
Finally just seeing this now - i operate on Slow Time more often than not! - and i thought i would just mention one of those curious encounters with all things Australian during the last fifty-plus years. A forgotten novel from a wonderful used book store many years ago that has stuck with me ever since:
https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/ask-a-librarian/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-a-lost-masterpiece/
Unfortunately, since Gabrielle Zevin's novel of the same name came out in 2022, finding any mention of Bradshaw's visionary story of a possible future is way down the list of search results so i fear it may become even more of a lost literary treasure. Which is exactly why i sometimes take the time to share its existence with fellow travellers! It was actually coauthored by two women who collaboratively wrote other works.
Imagining that such a literary collaboration could have ever resulted in such a novel in America seems impossible - and therein lies the reason that Down Under 'stuff' of all sorts resonates with me; we are so much alike and yet so different. Compare and Contrast. Revise.
And after doing so, i usually feel that American society has stopped or at least dramatically slowed down its national learning curve while our natural geopolitical 'twins' have kept growing, including Canada, along with Australia and New Zealand. The UK also seems to have become stagnant in ways that mirror the US. Since my wife of over four decades is English, i feel justified in putting our two nations in the Dunce's Corner for much of the past few decades, at least. Victims of our own arrogance due to the past glories of Empire. Hubris before a Fall.
Anyway, forgive the long ramble while letting the mind wander during a relaxed Sunday after our Thanksgiving holiday; a welcome distraction to our current politics and the typical news & commentary found here on the Bulwark.
Thank you for the information on 'Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow,' I had never heard of Barnard and Eldershaw, which is a shame as they were obviously good writers, I notice that Patrick White, no mean writer himself praised the book.
I am currently reading the Jindyworobaks, a school of Australian nationalist writers who flourished from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. They rejected Australia's cultural and political subordination to the UK and believed that Aboriginal art and spirituality should form the basis of Australian national identity, so were very much ahead of their time in taking a sympathetic interest in Indigenous culture and in questioning the heroes of White Australia, for example this poem, written at a time when pioneers were seen as unambiguously admirable figures.
RETREAT OF A PIONEER
Vacant he sits, sucking his yellowed teeth;
hostile to change, sprawling uneasy feet
that bullock-dray and shuffling camel knew.
Half-blind from sand; the tribes he stole from dead
the land he raped made barren as his mind.
The Jindies were complex and controversial figures, Ian Maudie, who wrote the above, was pro-Nazi and was lucky not to have been interned as a security threat during WWII. This didn't stop him from becoming a respected elder of Australian literature, his fascist past overlooked.
As to why Australia and Canada are in better political shape than the US and UK, I can only speculate in regard to Australia that it is due to;
Compulsory voting combined with a suspicion of radicalism , pushing both sides of politics toward the center.
Strongly measures against illegal immigration, depriving the far right of an issue they have exploited in the US and UK (during his first term Trump told our then Prime Minister who was explaining Australian measures against illegal immigration ' That is a good idea. We should do that too. You are worse than I am.').
A stronger social security system, which enjoys broad public support.
A lack of constitutionally guaranteed rights, which makes the High Court of Australia far less political than its American counterpart, and ensures that access to abortion and same sex marriage are backed by broad public support, not simply the opinions of judges, making these much less controversial with.
A political climate in which free speech is seen as a privilege not a right, making it easier for governments, both left and right to crack down on extremism.
Australians are less religious, making religious fundamentalists minor players in the Australian political system.
No primary elections, candidates are chosen by party grandees rather than voters, which weeds out people with extreme views.
However we certainly have our problems;
For example; while the two main parties, Liberal and Labor are moderate right and moderate left respectively both are facing declining public support and extremist parties of both left and right are gaining ground.
Our social cohesion is fraying at the edges, with declining trust in institutions, driven I suspect by the growth of social media and Australian society becoming far more culturally diverse.
Our social safety net is eroding, you see far more homeless people than in the past and hard won social programs, such as free health care and education, being cut back (so, for example, we have seen the retirement age raised and fewer and fewer doctors offering medical care based funded by Medicare (national health).
There is a growth in violent extremism, from both sides of politics, forcing State Governments to pass stronger anti-protest laws (while the Australian constitution does contain an implied right to freedom of speech in political matters this has not stopped State governments from passing laws regulating protest, with heavy fines or substantial prisons sentences as deterrents to protestors who, for example, block roads or display Nazi symbols).
Australians are failing to act respond effectively to the rise of China and the US becoming a less reliable strategic partner.
Equally both sides of politics are in denial about climate change and its potential impact. The Liberals / Nationals minimize the impact, Labor talks about climate change but continues to support coal mining, neither is planning adequately for the challenges we are likely to encounter.
Most seriously support for democracy is dropping, particularly among young people.
While an Australian Trump is not imminent, such a figure is no longer unthinkable either.
Amanda, lovely, long, and thoughtful reply!
Will try to respond in the coming week because you did such a splendid job of continuing the conversation. Much to think about; grist for the mill of my obsession with learning what we can about Australia's path as a guide to improving our own.
Its astounding how many incompetent, untrustworthy, inauthentic, hateful, toxic, grifting, unprincipled, shameless, narcissistic personalities make up the US administration. A collection of people you'd never want as your friends, neighbours, family or co-workers. Even their loyalty to the clown is self-serving. Just gross.
It's a little less astounding when you consider the character of the man they've chosen to serve.
"But he was forced to turn on a dime when congressional Republicans got wind of the plan and sent him an unambiguous message: No way are we supporting this."
""Speaker Mike Johnson has told the White House that most House Republicans have little interest in extending the Affordable Care Act's enhanced subsidies"
I know the RINOs have a hard time with math, but let's take a quick look at the numbers anyway. Maybe we can use them to convince [speaker Johnson] that he's whistling past the graveyard if he's certain the votes aren't there to support the [XFG's] latest flip-flop.
* Currently there are 219 RINOs and 213 Dems (with three vacancies).
* Two Repubs cosponsored legislation to extend the subsidies: Don Bacon, and Jeff Hurd.
* That leaves 217 RINOs and with Bacon and Hurd in favor that means 215 yeas.
* Add Rep Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va) who cosponsored a bill in Sept calling for extensions (H.R.5145) and Kevin Kiley who cosponsored a bill in early Nov on extending the ACA tax credits and subsidies. The new totals are 217 yeas and 215 nays.
* What are the odds that Johnson has the clout to woo back the four desertions plus any others, especially after the [XFG] stated he's open to a possible extension?
* A Floor vote is called and there are four or more RINOs who actually care about their constituents, Johnson goes down in flames.
All supposition and possible wishcasting, IDK, but...." (Crosspost from "The Fucking News" https://thefuckingnews.substack.com/p/now-the-whole-gop-is-revolting-against/comment/181196933 Language cleaned for the Bulwark.)
fnord
Is that photo a good semblance of Trump's appearance right now? He looks like a sick older man bundled up on his way to chemo therapy.
The bronzer guy had the day off! 🍊