O’Brien zeroed in on this horde of undeserving little men (mostly all are men) who insist their accomplishments are unmatched and that luck — whether in parentage, health, or other random factor — has nothing to do with their success.
I once had a boss who used to say (with a nod and a wink):
The most important decision you'll ever make in life is to choose the right parents! ;)
If there is a silver lining, it is that the “only we know best” Trump regime inevitably commits humiliating self-owns on virtually all policy fronts
Truman had a quote to the effect that one advantage of a democracy and freedom of the press is that problems and shortcomings come into view, and therefore can be corrected. Seems to fit well here.
"If there is a silver lining, it is that the “only we know best” Trump regime inevitably commits humiliating self-owns on virtually all policy fronts — from a disastrous war and even more disastrous ceasefire deal to failed revenge prosecutions to inflation."
Beautifully written, Ms. Rubin. Nothing like a self-effacing, inspirational speech to bring clarity to one's true purpose on this earth.
The own goals of this MAGA insanity are adding up.
“…other good-humored, undaunted, and unabashed defenders of kindness, learning, decency, social solidarity, and empathy.”
After watching the Obamas open the Obama Presidential Center I think we had what Jen is alluding to. There certainly are other administrations to point to, also. I recall Carter’s and Ford’s with fondness. Nobody will ever say the same for Trump.
That's the problem with our democracy. There are very few modest people running for office. There is a certain amount of Hubris connected to thinking that you of all people can make a difference. We could use a system where people are nominated not because they stepped forward but because they led fron behind. I do not know how we can do so. It means a different nominating system and the understanding that serving as a leader is an obligation, not a choice.
Most rich people used to observe the social gospel. Noblesse oblige No longer.
Charitable deductions should be limited to elimination of poverty or disease. Social Security is the greatest anti povery program in US history. It's in jeopardy. Why doesn't the government advertise that it can be saved? Musk. Bezos et al could get a tax deduction by prolonging default, now schedued for 2032. https://www.ssa.gov/agency/donations.html
People like Gates and Bezos say they're giving all their wealth away. But it could be that they're ignorant how wealth "trickles up" becaue the poor have to spend every dime they get, and the effect is that it boosts commerce. All commerce.
The problem is they just move their wealth. The same US institutions, like banks, have a foreign presence so the funds are arguably outside US jurisdiction.
The mere threat of a wealth tax in California is causing relocation of a LOT of wealthy people to places like TX and FL.
Where I live, many wealthy people have dual citizenship. Many people here have businesses headquartered elsewhere. Caymans. Bahamas. Ireland. Switzeralnd, etc.
I disagree. Yes, anyone with ambition needs to be able to tame it in order to be a great or even a good leader. Abraham Lincoln was modest, but he was also deeply ambitious. The two can go hand-in-hand. Your suggestion would lead to mediocrity.
Lincoln had a moral compass second to none. He was ambitious, but he never let his ambition become more important than his goals: Ending slavery and restoring Constitutional government.
Thanks, Jennifer. In my mind, the ability to laugh and poke fun at oneself and others — is a true sign of God’s presence in your life. It’s why millions of us adore Steven Colbert. It’s not just about his poker-faced narration of the day’s catastrophes, but the heart that goes along with the narration. That’s always what counts.
Beautifully said. And the humorist stands back and takes a look at what is happening and sees the humor in things such as Trump's actions. Trump can't be real. There is no heart and it appears, no brain.
We need an adjustment to the balance between the branches of government:
1. That which requires ratification must not be undone at the whim of the executive. Congress must be involved via a supermajority vote.
2. SCOTUS must not be allowed to rewrite the constitution or change its meaning. It must not be permitted to invent things out of thin air like the unitary executive concept.
3. Both law and policy must be consistent with objective fact and especially exclude lies.
I think that having one Executive, let alone a 'Unitary Executive' is a concept which has proven itself to be too dangerous to keep. More than one person's decision to do something as evil as staring a war when not attacked, should be mandatory. It actually is, if the Orange Menace had gone to Congress, but he acted unilaterally. We have much to rethink and fix.
And remember before he started the illegal war against Iran, he fired all the black generals. He recently forced the Army to get rid of another general who wasn't going along with Trump's agenda. (They needed to promote more officers and were not being allowed to do that.)
And Senator Kelly and allies who told soldiers they didn't have to follow orders they saw unfit.
Where was the opposition against the war. Project 2025 set up the scenario for Trump's actions. The Republicans have drunk the purple Kool-Aid and have given up the reason for the jobs.
Truthfully, DJT is not a "unitary executive." He is manipulated by the authors of the Project 2025 and National Security Strategy documents (Russell Vought and Stephen Miller, amongst other henchmen). He has ego-driven impulsive actions that throw a monkey-wrench in their plans, but functionally he is the lead sled-dog with a malevolent musher directing the team.
Seriously, a lot of our problems are rooted in a Constitution written at the end of the 18th Century when information traveled at best at the speed of a man on horseback and the Executive was the one who stayed in DC in case something happened. Also, the manner in which Cabinet Members are appointed is too reliant on 1 individual... in this case, one compromised individual.
Well said... And that is my reason for stopping the 2nd amendment and the right to bear arms. The guns at that time were toys compared to what is on our streets today.
There's also an element that sabotages the horrific idea of term limits. I hear people say "being in Congress wasn't expected to be a lifetime job, but a citizen doing a term of service.' Sure, that worked when everyone in government was a rich, white man who could leave his farm/plantation estate to be managed by his wife and run by his servants/slaves. Term limits would assure that only the wealthy could serve in Congress or that those in Congress would be looking for a way to use that term to assure that they set themselves up for post-service life. Which in fact is what has happened in Ohio where we have legislative term limits.
Getting a supermajority is virtually impossible so that wouldn't be much of a check. In fact the president is already NOT supposed to undo ratified laws on a whim.
The meaning is opposite. It would be very difficult for a President to vacate a ratified treaty because a supermajority vote would be required to do it.
Seems to me that the rich MAGA types never acknowledge that they didn't start out poor, but they demand that those who are poor must pull themselves up by the boot straps. I suspect that being born on 3rd base accounts for a lot of their puffery. But also, a lack of empathy is a major underlayment for the MAGA movement. It would behoove us to figure out whether they never had empathy or if they did, how they lost it. The future of Civilization may depend on it.
IMHO a much greater commencement speech this year came from Senator Chris Murphy at Wesleyan University, in which he talked about the need to "tame" the "efficiency beast" as well as the need for "drift" and "friction." It was an argument that Silicon Valley AI addicts can't stomach and are trying to eradicate in their models because they just don't understand its crucial role in creativity and problem solving.
I agree with you Laurie, and with Senator Murphy. "Efficiency" may have its uses, but it has a tendency to spiral out of control very quickly. Just consider the whole Elon Musk nightmare and all the destruction he caused.
"O’Brien zeroed in on this horde of undeserving little men (mostly all are men) who insist their accomplishments are unmatched and that luck — whether in parentage, health, or other random factor — has nothing to do with their success."
This is what Barack Obama meant in his statement, "you didn't build this." when he spok to a group of people who clearly thought that their achievements were done without assistance. Here's calling for more care, empathy, ethics and integrity; above all humility.
And in defense of Obama. He wasn't giving people the new health center, he is aiming at inspiring the next generation of youth to go out and change things for the better. His museum is aspirational.
Which his center has been doing for YEARS before its opening through the Obama Foundation, with its leadership programs to empower young leaders who have started programs/nonprofits/organizations to address issues such as education and health care.
I felt that Obama's non-presidential library monument to himself was another example of this self-glorification. I don't expect this opinion to be popular, considering how The Contrarian went on and on about it. I felt it diminished him. A better monument to himself would have been a development of affordable housing, with affordable health clinics and some of those grocery stores that bring fresh vegetables to fresh food deserts. So we had a big party for it full of wealthy people. Isn't this what the Dems are currently being criticized for? Being actually another party of the well off? And isn't this what we are supposed to be trying to get away from?
You could say that about any president spending any money on anything that's not Jimmy-Carter style community building is self-glorification, but keep in mind even Jimmy Carter built his presidential library
The current regime, and the Philistines who make it up, would like nothing better than to bury all evidence of Obama's existence. He gave hope to untold numbers of people that they too could access the power structure. We need monuments to him….if only as symbols documenting his time as president. That does not preclude establishing food banks, but in a rich country with appropriate polices implemented, food banks wouldn’t be needed.
That's an entirely wrong take. You're demanding that he solve intractable problems as his "presidential liibrary"? Come on. In fact, he has created a 19-acre campus, not a "monument to himself" (many have remarked about how the elements are all named after others who influenced him and made change, such as John Lewis.) All of it is open to the public for free, except the museum part itself. It includes things such as a playground designed for kids with disabilities, picnic grooves, gardens and an athletic center serving the entire community. It beautifies the community and provides opportunity for people in the community to enjoy some beauty and relaxation. It isn't his job now to solve the housing, food and health care problems; he's done his time. But yeah, the Black guy is always expected to do more or be slagged.
The Obama center includes a full-size basketball court, a hill for winter sledding, and a large playground. These are all amenities that benefit the surrounding community. And it contains actual books, because former President Obama reads books.
A playground designed to serve kids with disabilities in what used to be a vacant lot. How is that not serving the community? Also, that athletic center isn't just for basketball but for the entire community and will also host things such as yoga and fitness classes for seniors.
I find it comforting to be reminded that ALL the good comics are intelligent and humane (E.g., O'Brien, Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Oliver, Kimmel, Maron, Tina Faye, Colbert, etc., etc.) Humor definitely has a left wing bias; our monopoly on this vital resource may someday "trump" all the advantages of the plutocrats.
Another silver lining is that the Trump regime’s abuse of power has driven people to make connections in community and to learn more deeply what “democracy” means in practice. As the regime destroys, people come together to listen, chatter, create and give. The regime is looking ever more foolish by the day as we are slip through the grip of their malignant narcissism and continue to expose them for their hollowness and rottenness. Thank you to The Contrarian for helping to lead the way.
O’Brien zeroed in on this horde of undeserving little men (mostly all are men) who insist their accomplishments are unmatched and that luck — whether in parentage, health, or other random factor — has nothing to do with their success.
I once had a boss who used to say (with a nod and a wink):
The most important decision you'll ever make in life is to choose the right parents! ;)
If there is a silver lining, it is that the “only we know best” Trump regime inevitably commits humiliating self-owns on virtually all policy fronts
Truman had a quote to the effect that one advantage of a democracy and freedom of the press is that problems and shortcomings come into view, and therefore can be corrected. Seems to fit well here.
The first casualty of tyranny in every land is always humor. Despots try to put the little guy before a firing squad on Day One.
"If there is a silver lining, it is that the “only we know best” Trump regime inevitably commits humiliating self-owns on virtually all policy fronts — from a disastrous war and even more disastrous ceasefire deal to failed revenge prosecutions to inflation."
Beautifully written, Ms. Rubin. Nothing like a self-effacing, inspirational speech to bring clarity to one's true purpose on this earth.
The own goals of this MAGA insanity are adding up.
@ Ivan. I knew several "gold diggers" who were more "successful" than virtually any trust fund babies.
“…other good-humored, undaunted, and unabashed defenders of kindness, learning, decency, social solidarity, and empathy.”
After watching the Obamas open the Obama Presidential Center I think we had what Jen is alluding to. There certainly are other administrations to point to, also. I recall Carter’s and Ford’s with fondness. Nobody will ever say the same for Trump.
That's the problem with our democracy. There are very few modest people running for office. There is a certain amount of Hubris connected to thinking that you of all people can make a difference. We could use a system where people are nominated not because they stepped forward but because they led fron behind. I do not know how we can do so. It means a different nominating system and the understanding that serving as a leader is an obligation, not a choice.
Public service as an obligation was a common philosophy among the founders.
Most rich people used to observe the social gospel. Noblesse oblige No longer.
Charitable deductions should be limited to elimination of poverty or disease. Social Security is the greatest anti povery program in US history. It's in jeopardy. Why doesn't the government advertise that it can be saved? Musk. Bezos et al could get a tax deduction by prolonging default, now schedued for 2032. https://www.ssa.gov/agency/donations.html
The actively seek to destroy the whole concept of 'The Common Good.'
People like Gates and Bezos say they're giving all their wealth away. But it could be that they're ignorant how wealth "trickles up" becaue the poor have to spend every dime they get, and the effect is that it boosts commerce. All commerce.
It is why we need wealth caps, wealth taxes, and to redo the inheritance tax to eliminate dynastic wealth.
The problem is they just move their wealth. The same US institutions, like banks, have a foreign presence so the funds are arguably outside US jurisdiction.
The mere threat of a wealth tax in California is causing relocation of a LOT of wealthy people to places like TX and FL.
Where I live, many wealthy people have dual citizenship. Many people here have businesses headquartered elsewhere. Caymans. Bahamas. Ireland. Switzeralnd, etc.
IMHO the only way to tax them is via a VAT tax.
I disagree. Yes, anyone with ambition needs to be able to tame it in order to be a great or even a good leader. Abraham Lincoln was modest, but he was also deeply ambitious. The two can go hand-in-hand. Your suggestion would lead to mediocrity.
Lincoln had a moral compass second to none. He was ambitious, but he never let his ambition become more important than his goals: Ending slavery and restoring Constitutional government.
Liberia
great speach Conan1
Amen! O'Brian's wit & humor (they are different) was perfect for our time. Upbeat is way better for getting folks to think deeply and morally.
Thanks, Jennifer. In my mind, the ability to laugh and poke fun at oneself and others — is a true sign of God’s presence in your life. It’s why millions of us adore Steven Colbert. It’s not just about his poker-faced narration of the day’s catastrophes, but the heart that goes along with the narration. That’s always what counts.
Beautifully said. And the humorist stands back and takes a look at what is happening and sees the humor in things such as Trump's actions. Trump can't be real. There is no heart and it appears, no brain.
We need an adjustment to the balance between the branches of government:
1. That which requires ratification must not be undone at the whim of the executive. Congress must be involved via a supermajority vote.
2. SCOTUS must not be allowed to rewrite the constitution or change its meaning. It must not be permitted to invent things out of thin air like the unitary executive concept.
3. Both law and policy must be consistent with objective fact and especially exclude lies.
I think that having one Executive, let alone a 'Unitary Executive' is a concept which has proven itself to be too dangerous to keep. More than one person's decision to do something as evil as staring a war when not attacked, should be mandatory. It actually is, if the Orange Menace had gone to Congress, but he acted unilaterally. We have much to rethink and fix.
And remember before he started the illegal war against Iran, he fired all the black generals. He recently forced the Army to get rid of another general who wasn't going along with Trump's agenda. (They needed to promote more officers and were not being allowed to do that.)
And Senator Kelly and allies who told soldiers they didn't have to follow orders they saw unfit.
Where was the opposition against the war. Project 2025 set up the scenario for Trump's actions. The Republicans have drunk the purple Kool-Aid and have given up the reason for the jobs.
Truthfully, DJT is not a "unitary executive." He is manipulated by the authors of the Project 2025 and National Security Strategy documents (Russell Vought and Stephen Miller, amongst other henchmen). He has ego-driven impulsive actions that throw a monkey-wrench in their plans, but functionally he is the lead sled-dog with a malevolent musher directing the team.
We should test all proposals against a virtual tRump regime to assure stability.
Seriously, a lot of our problems are rooted in a Constitution written at the end of the 18th Century when information traveled at best at the speed of a man on horseback and the Executive was the one who stayed in DC in case something happened. Also, the manner in which Cabinet Members are appointed is too reliant on 1 individual... in this case, one compromised individual.
Well said... And that is my reason for stopping the 2nd amendment and the right to bear arms. The guns at that time were toys compared to what is on our streets today.
There's also an element that sabotages the horrific idea of term limits. I hear people say "being in Congress wasn't expected to be a lifetime job, but a citizen doing a term of service.' Sure, that worked when everyone in government was a rich, white man who could leave his farm/plantation estate to be managed by his wife and run by his servants/slaves. Term limits would assure that only the wealthy could serve in Congress or that those in Congress would be looking for a way to use that term to assure that they set themselves up for post-service life. Which in fact is what has happened in Ohio where we have legislative term limits.
The IG officers should be employees of Congress, not the executive branch and should only be removable via Congressional action.
Getting a supermajority is virtually impossible so that wouldn't be much of a check. In fact the president is already NOT supposed to undo ratified laws on a whim.
The meaning is opposite. It would be very difficult for a President to vacate a ratified treaty because a supermajority vote would be required to do it.
Seems to me that the rich MAGA types never acknowledge that they didn't start out poor, but they demand that those who are poor must pull themselves up by the boot straps. I suspect that being born on 3rd base accounts for a lot of their puffery. But also, a lack of empathy is a major underlayment for the MAGA movement. It would behoove us to figure out whether they never had empathy or if they did, how they lost it. The future of Civilization may depend on it.
It has been said that the measure of a person's character is to give them power. There seems to be a lot of "not much character" going around.
Brilliant all around…thank you, contrarians!
IMHO a much greater commencement speech this year came from Senator Chris Murphy at Wesleyan University, in which he talked about the need to "tame" the "efficiency beast" as well as the need for "drift" and "friction." It was an argument that Silicon Valley AI addicts can't stomach and are trying to eradicate in their models because they just don't understand its crucial role in creativity and problem solving.
I agree with you Laurie, and with Senator Murphy. "Efficiency" may have its uses, but it has a tendency to spiral out of control very quickly. Just consider the whole Elon Musk nightmare and all the destruction he caused.
"O’Brien zeroed in on this horde of undeserving little men (mostly all are men) who insist their accomplishments are unmatched and that luck — whether in parentage, health, or other random factor — has nothing to do with their success."
This is what Barack Obama meant in his statement, "you didn't build this." when he spok to a group of people who clearly thought that their achievements were done without assistance. Here's calling for more care, empathy, ethics and integrity; above all humility.
And in defense of Obama. He wasn't giving people the new health center, he is aiming at inspiring the next generation of youth to go out and change things for the better. His museum is aspirational.
Which his center has been doing for YEARS before its opening through the Obama Foundation, with its leadership programs to empower young leaders who have started programs/nonprofits/organizations to address issues such as education and health care.
I felt that Obama's non-presidential library monument to himself was another example of this self-glorification. I don't expect this opinion to be popular, considering how The Contrarian went on and on about it. I felt it diminished him. A better monument to himself would have been a development of affordable housing, with affordable health clinics and some of those grocery stores that bring fresh vegetables to fresh food deserts. So we had a big party for it full of wealthy people. Isn't this what the Dems are currently being criticized for? Being actually another party of the well off? And isn't this what we are supposed to be trying to get away from?
You could say that about any president spending any money on anything that's not Jimmy-Carter style community building is self-glorification, but keep in mind even Jimmy Carter built his presidential library
When you can’t “see the forest for the trees” then you are alone, Thomas.
The current regime, and the Philistines who make it up, would like nothing better than to bury all evidence of Obama's existence. He gave hope to untold numbers of people that they too could access the power structure. We need monuments to him….if only as symbols documenting his time as president. That does not preclude establishing food banks, but in a rich country with appropriate polices implemented, food banks wouldn’t be needed.
can't we just give this guy some credit !!! Please
That's an entirely wrong take. You're demanding that he solve intractable problems as his "presidential liibrary"? Come on. In fact, he has created a 19-acre campus, not a "monument to himself" (many have remarked about how the elements are all named after others who influenced him and made change, such as John Lewis.) All of it is open to the public for free, except the museum part itself. It includes things such as a playground designed for kids with disabilities, picnic grooves, gardens and an athletic center serving the entire community. It beautifies the community and provides opportunity for people in the community to enjoy some beauty and relaxation. It isn't his job now to solve the housing, food and health care problems; he's done his time. But yeah, the Black guy is always expected to do more or be slagged.
The Obama center includes a full-size basketball court, a hill for winter sledding, and a large playground. These are all amenities that benefit the surrounding community. And it contains actual books, because former President Obama reads books.
A playground designed to serve kids with disabilities in what used to be a vacant lot. How is that not serving the community? Also, that athletic center isn't just for basketball but for the entire community and will also host things such as yoga and fitness classes for seniors.
I find it comforting to be reminded that ALL the good comics are intelligent and humane (E.g., O'Brien, Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Oliver, Kimmel, Maron, Tina Faye, Colbert, etc., etc.) Humor definitely has a left wing bias; our monopoly on this vital resource may someday "trump" all the advantages of the plutocrats.
Another silver lining is that the Trump regime’s abuse of power has driven people to make connections in community and to learn more deeply what “democracy” means in practice. As the regime destroys, people come together to listen, chatter, create and give. The regime is looking ever more foolish by the day as we are slip through the grip of their malignant narcissism and continue to expose them for their hollowness and rottenness. Thank you to The Contrarian for helping to lead the way.
Refreshing!!
Love your articles and miss you at Coffee. Hope you’re feeling better