World War Stupid
America’s political media is a billion-dollar conflict industry that relishes discord, division and acrimony. It is sustained by performative outrage, cynicism and fear, which is cultivated, stoked and driven by an unrelenting ethic of self over country, and profit over principle. The result is profound distrust in the media by the American people, who view the media as being biased towards power, at the expense of the public interest. They are held in the same deep disdain as the political and corporate elite, who have shattered the social compact and engorged themselves, while sprinkling platitudes aimed at disguising their corruption.
Ron DeSantis is the front runner for the GOP/MAGA 2024 presidential nomination, which is a remarkable achievement given his lack of charisma, intellect, leadership,
integrity and basic attractiveness. He is less compelling than vanilla, with the charm of poison ivy. Yet, he has become the great white hope of America’s “corruptocracy,” which has grown weary of Trump and his final worst version — which makes the bloated and addled end-stage Elvis appear to be a bronzed Apollo in comparison.
Ron DeSantis stands apart in a stagnant sea of extremism. Among the prospective 2024 MAGA candidates, he alone did not fellate Trump and debase himself, while kowtowing to Trump’s insatiable ego.
DeSantis is the exception to the rule. He was the rare person who was unused, and un-abused by Trump. He was the rare person who held Trump’s leash.
The political media is orgasmic about the coming cesspool. They relish it.
There is irony about the affinity for conflict amongst the American media. They seem to be hyper-interested in the performative variety, while being profoundly disinterested in actual conflict, where the issues at hand are life and death. This will come into clearer focus in the weeks and months ahead.
When Donald Trump descended his escalator into the 2016 presidential campaign it began a new era of meanness, lowness and irredeemable imbecility in American life. After eight long years, the center did not hold. The result is a catastrophe for America’s future, which is dependent on America’s past. The only way out is better, and it will all get worse before it gets better.
I did my best to describe what is coming next in this video. Let me know how you think I did, and tell me what you think.
While I agree with you on this, sometimes I can’t believe this is what we have become. DeSantis is cruel, sadistic. That this man would run for President in the US is unbelievable. I marvel everyday at the lack of lawsuits against him for Constitutional violations against the people in FL. What happened to us?
Ukraine. This is another lesson in history repeating itself. We dithered around concerning Hitler and the results were catastrophic. Putin will not be stopped, unless we stop him, now. I read a quote this week, forgive me I am about to mess it up, but it was in essence about seeing a snake about to strike. You don’t wait until it strikes to kill it, you crush it before it strikes. This is where we are.
It is all exhausting and I have moments and days, when I have to step back from it all. To take deep breaths and just focus on the river and all the critters that live around me. But, I always read what you have to say. Your words are important and need to be said. Thank you.
Steve, your best is every day. And the above could not be more urgent for, not only Americans, but democracies around the world. Putin has never loved the grandiosity that Russia contributed to the world. He, instead, follows Stalin in intent and murderous ruling. You and I, as is the Russian population, we all mean nothing, thus we are nothing to the Putins of the world. Ukraine and its leader and citizens are the manifestation of us when aggression violates all human principles that advance our civilization. I last heard this morning how, failing to recruit his prisoners who want nothing to do with his war, Putin is now sending his subjects (inferiors is his evident definition of who is ruled under his Russian Federation) into Ukraine under the influence of drugs. I will not add what his legacy is. I am concerned, as you, that the American legacy is now beholden to the worst in us. Those given a legacy to protect are wired instead to destroy. DeSantis rules by taking away, in a country that treasures the freedom towards a just representation of its citizens. I warned years ago and do so again: Follow The Money. And I urge the journalists who distance themselves from media self-ingratiating follies to be aggressive when investigating candidates for office, no matter the level and, especially, the presidency. Trump slipped through in the same manner that Santos disgraces the Congress today. But these two are the obvious ones. How many more should never have reached the empowerment vested upon them by Fox-like Disinformed and candidate Misinformed voters? There is much ahead to fight for if we treasure America and its legacy. It demands, not virtue signalling and much less limited to the contrast of virtues versus sins in Catholicism, given that religion has so influenced extremism in our soil. No, it is rather the distinction of what is fundamental in the shaping of We The People today, grounded on the most basic tenet that is justice and the achievement of human rights.