The whole world (even the Murdoch media, surprisingly, although not this rogues' gallery of global bad guys) is breathing a sigh of relief now the US election is over. How inspiring it is to watch the machinery of one of the leading democracies in action.
Now that we no longer have to watch that nail-biting count, here's a reminder of a time when the contest really was close -- in electoral college terms, that is; the popular vote was another matter -- and how the rival candidates conducted themselves then. And here's how a more recent race for governor went down.
And now a word from President-Elect Biden. Nice to think the word "presidential" can now revert to its original meaning, rather than being a synonym for toddlers' temper tantrums.
This hasn't fully played out yet. Trump has not conceded and almost certainly will not concede. He's launched multiple (frivolous) legal challenges aimed at effectively disenfranchising whole state that voted against him. He's also busily whipping up anger and boosting the possibility of violence from his cult of followers. There's every possibility that former POTUS Trump will get dragged kicked and screaming from the White House by U.S> Marshals. We're in uncharted, fairly rough waters here and this ride is far from over.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to mention it in the post, hoping to focus only on the good, but I once worked with a narcissistic sociopath so all of Trump's behaviour patterns are very familiar to me. I knew he had no regard for truth or decency and I predicted that he'd refuse to accept the result of the election. It doesn't matter to such a person that their actions are torching trust in one of the world's greatest democracies, because the only thing they care about is their own ego. We're a long way from the gracious note that George Bush Sr left for Bill Clinton. But what has been tragic and depressing is the way so many Republican politicians have been willing to enable what they know to be a lie. By backing Trump they think they can control him, which is nonsense -- you can't control a narcissist -- but also the shabbiest kind of political opportunism. They are tarnishing the reputation of the US forever. Faith in the system, once lost, takes generations to rebuild. International observers know the US ran a fair vote. The GOP themselves know it. Their objections now to the election's outcome are motivated by cynical game-playing which will have a real cost both in political stability and in human life. It is a crime and a tragedy.
DeleteI know this saga isn't over yet, but I did enjoy basking in the news on Saturday evening. Champagne corks were popped. When Joe Biden addressed the crowds at 2.00 am UK time on Sunday morning, I felt I was listening to the President, not merely of the U.S, but of all of US.
ReplyDeleteYes it must take a breathtaking level of arrogance to start to believe your own press which is at odds with all prevailing evidence...
ReplyDeleteIt's typical of narcissistic sociopaths that the moment something pops into their head they take it as true. The telltale phrases are things like, "people are saying" and "there's huge evidence" -- translation: I made this up. The GOP grandees know that; they're colluding with somebody they know is unbalanced simply because they hope it will strengthen their negotiating hand. If I ever get superpowers, those people will be going to goal in the Antarctic!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of Mitch McConnell having to save endless penalties bombarded at him by the feet of ferocious penguins! ...Which is what I presume "going to goal in the Antarctic" entails ;-)
DeleteHey, now, Dave, be reasonable. The Antarctic is a delicate ecosystem. Don't you dare pollute it with those twits. Just toss 'em into the Sun or maybe Pluto. They don't deserve to live on an actual planet anymore.
DeleteWhat?! The last four years hasn't been a sitcom? No wonder I couldn't find the boxset.
DeleteLol, guys, I'm thinking of the Phantom Zone projector in the Fortress of Solitude. Traditionally I know that was in the Arctic, but there's not enough ice left there these days.
DeleteHaving been hooked on this saga for the last six months and then having come away mildly disappointed by the shortfall in outcome (Florida,North Carolina, the senate majority...?) I was rather hoping for a bit of escapism from this blog, only to find that there is no escape from the orange one, even here.
ReplyDeleteBloody Trump, spoils everything.
I know how you feel, but I was at least careful to keep all mention of him out of the post. If we can now go four years (or preferably forever) without mentioning him again, I'll be happy.
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