A BRIONI TUTU, GOLDEN AGED EGGS, 400 YEARS, ANOTHER DIRTY WORD

It appears that Donald and Elon, along with the Project 2025 mob, have resurrected ‘The New Pledge’ which ran in Matt Groening’s Life in Hell comic strip back on December 16, 1994. The pledge reads: “I pledge allegiance to and wrap myself in the flag of the United States Against Anything Un-American, and to the Republicans for which it stands, two nations, under Jesus, rich against poor with curtailed liberty and justice for all, except for Blacks, homosexuals, women who want abortions, Communists, welfare queens, tree huggers, feminazis, illegal immigrants, children of illegal immigrants, and you if you don’t watch your step.” Our current government makeup didn’t miss a beat in the intervening thirty years, and we can bet with assurance that they have a New Constitution waiting in the wings.

Gregory E. Sterling, dean of the Yale Divinity School, in an article on the MSNBC website says that the US Agency for International Development being cast into the “wood chipper” by Musk is a sign that a core Christian value of caring for others “is under threat.” Distressing to Sterling is the alarming and tacit support of many, including Trump’s evangelical horde, who proclaim the Gospels as their guide, and by doing so “have sold their souls in a Faustian deal for political power.” Cited is an NBC News exit poll in the presidential election with the upshot that 63% of voters in the “Protestant or other Christians” demographic supported the new administration — and if restricted to Whites, the number climbs to 72%. In the Catholic fold, 59% supported Trump, with 63% of White Catholics voting for the convicted felon. But — yikes! — 82% of White evangelicals went for King Donald. The Dean is concerned that many will associate Christianity with the worrisome programs of the MAGA administration, and that the “younger generation will either come to dismiss Christianity as amoral or identify with it for its relationship to political power rather than its moral and spiritual principles” — neither of which he finds acceptable.

A colleague of Sterling’s, Phil Gorski, author of ‘The Flag and the Cross,’ an exploration of the rise of Christian nationalism, seconds the concern about Christianity becoming a “dirty word,” and, an acquaintance who is senior pastor of a large Manhattan church now describes himself as a “follower of Jesus Christ,” abandoning his descriptor as ‘Christian.’ Sterling closes his piece by saying that the “closure of USAID and the pulling of funds from other agencies and groups that care for the ‘hungry…thirsty…stranger…naked…ill…imprisoned’ is anti-Christian at its core. It reflects a rejection of a basic value that Jews and Christians hold sacred. Christians may disagree about a number of important issues, but the imperative to care for the downtrodden is not one of them.” A recent caller from Georgia on C-SPAN with right-wing pundit Armstrong Williams recalled his family’s vacations in the Great Smoky Mountains, when they would feed bears at the side of the road — until it was declared illegal. He claims that once this largesse was terminated the bears starved to death because they didn’t know how to fend for themselves, referring to the old proverb about teaching a man how to fish. Host Williams called his story well taken, saying, “The best Department of Health, Education and Welfare I had growing up was my mother and my father.” Right! Empathy is for losers! Ignore those roadside cadgers!

During Trump’s 2016 campaign he sought the backing of the religious right, granting them unprecedented access to empower their agenda during his first term; therefore, they poured millions in contributions toward his 2024 campaign to reseat themselves in the White House to continue their oppressive agenda to strip away rights and freedoms, and to make it safe to “once again” to say, “Merry CHRISTmas!” The level of influence held by the religious right turned the Executive branch into a virtual policy-making arm of their movement in Trump’s first term, and with their continuing domination we see the appointment of lifetime federal judges from religious-right legal groups who will further dismantle church-state separation and undermine our freedoms. With Trump’s favoritism toward these groups, their appetites for even more power and control has brought an uptick in overt and aggressive Christian nationalism, a threat not only to freedom and core democratic values, but non-acceptance of religious pluralism. This movement is also more likely to support authoritarianism and political violence, while nurturing racial resentment and hostility toward immigrants in their so-called “biblical worldview.” Their belief that Trump has been anointed by God to lead the country once again was recently mirrored by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson — genuflect, genuflect, genuflect!

Raymond De Vries who calls himself “a sad observer of political decline” posts on Quora in response to a questioner who asked, “How can you call yourself Christian and not support our most Christian president yet, Donald J. Trump?” His answer: “You seem to think a Christian is someone who says the homeless ‘will be arrested, but they will be given the option to accept treatment and services if they’re willing to be rehabilitated.’ And, it’s just fine for Christians to praise war-waging invaders as ‘genius’ and ‘savvy’ and refer to the displaced and dead in the invaded country as ‘independent.’ Or skipping community services to play golf, and call military service members who gave their lives for their country, ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’ And since when is it Christian for someone claiming to be a multi-billionaire to beg for the charity of wool-pulled-over-their-eyes sheeple who donate millions of dollars (or buy overpriced Bibles and other tchotchkes) to cover his legal defense costs against charges of rape, financial fraud and insurrection? And asking, ‘Why do I have to repent, to ask forgiveness if I’m not making mistakes?’ But methinks anyone who thinks Donald Trump is a Christian has been possessed by the devil….”

But we know that Trump likes the title, employing the tactics of a mob boss, as demonstrated in many of his proclamations and threats, one of the latest being against Ukraine president Zelensky after he criticized The Don for siding with Russia in the ongoing war. Ukraine has been particularly critical of the supposed ‘peace talks’ between only Russia and the US — no Ukrainians allowed, please. Trump calls Zelensky a “modestly successful comedian” who conned the US out of $350 billion to fight a “war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a war that he, without the US and TRUMP, will never be able to settle.” He also whined that the US spent $200 billion more than European nations contributed as a guaranteed loan, while the US will get nothing back. In a peacetime scenario, Zelensky would have termed-out of office, and despite Trump’s calls for wartime elections due to a “4% approval rating,” the Ukrainians show support at around 60% with no calls for an election, though Zelensky has offered to step down “in the interest of peace if necessary.” Trump called the Ukrainian president a dictator who is responsible for starting the war — words straight from the Putin playbook. British satirical magazine, Private Eye, ran its latest cover with a poke at the Trump/Zelensky standoff. A photo of Trump and Zelensky walking side by side has word balloons added with Trump asking, “Guess what the deal is?” Zelensky replies, “I give in.” “Correct,” Trump agrees. Even the Rupert Murdoch Wall Street Journal’s editorial board called Trump’s criticism of Zelensky an “assault,” warning that his “seeming desperation for a peace deal could come at the expense of his own presidency.” The board wrote: “The only dictator in the war is Mr. Putin, who poisons exiled Russians on foreign soil and banishes opponents to Arctic prison camps.” And a punch to Trump’s gut: “Call us when he holds a free election.” Further, Trump’s attempt to turn the Ukrainians against Zelensky is likely to have the opposite effect, and they agreed with Zelenksy’s “retort to Trump which suggests he’s living in a ‘disinformation bubble.'” WSJ board sums it up with: “Ultimately, any deal that results in Ukraine’s surrender will be a blow to American power — the opposite of Mr. Trump’s promise to restore a golden age of US prestige and world calm.”

A couple of weeks back The Don was facing criticism and mockery on social platforms for calling the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts a “woke” venue, though he admitted he has never attended any events — only that he “got reports” and that “people said the shows were terrible, a disgrace.” Consequently, he announced some new board appointees after “reports” of drag performances, and expressing his desire to become board chair “to make sure it runs properly. We don’t need ‘woke’ at the center.” Social media sprung into action, calling his comments “MAGA movement in a nutshell.” GenXGuy posted, “He heard it from many people the shows were terrible…big strong men…with tears in their eyes…’sir, these shows are terrible. Only you can save the Kennedy Center.'” True to form, satirist Andy Borowitz of The Borowitz Report posted: “Donald J. Trump tightened his grip on the American arts scene on Monday by naming himself principal ballerina of the Kennedy Center Ballet. Announcing a purge of the company’s ballerinas, Trump declared on Truth Social, ‘I will soon be announcing a new roster of ballerinas, with an amazing ballerina, DONALD J. TRUMP.’ He said he was ‘disgusted’ to discover that all of the company’s current ballerinas were women, a state of affairs that he blamed on DEI. Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center has surprised millions of Americans, who previously thought that the worst thing that could happen to the Kennedy brand was JFK’s nephew strapping a dismembered whale’s head to his minivan.”

Of Trump’s intrusion into the arts, The Daily Beast website said, “Revenge, as the saying goes, is a dish best served cold and in Washington time always a moveable feast…When Donald Trump seized control of the performing arts venue, unseating David Rubinstein as chairman, it quickly became clear among the Democrat board members (and some Republicans) there was little they could do to prevent it. And so they will do what the true establishment does; they will bide their time…DC’s permanent elite believe Trump’s sudden, random interest in the center had little to do with content, and more to do with his own, more obvious, payback. The insiders didn’t accept him last time around and they won’t this, and it prickles under his skin like a rash that won’t go away. His own redress is to try to take away their toys. ‘He has kicked over a beehive,’ said one knowing person, ‘but he won’t know until it stings him in the ass.’ They will forgive the intrusion for now…but they won’t forget…even if the Kennedy Center morphs into the Trump Center overnight. ‘This isn’t the Deep State,’ said one insider. ‘This is Deep Society.’ However, if Trump thinks his coup is bloodless, at least for now, then he’d better look closer to home. Melania had apparently told friends she wanted to become more involved in the Kennedy Center and was already on the board as an honorary trustee along with other former first ladies Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton. Now her husband has stolen her thunder once again. She’d probably get a warmer welcome at the Women’s National Democratic Club.” Strike up the US Marine Corps band! Or how about Trump’s J6 Prison Choir? Never grow tired of those guys, do we?

Steve Schmidt couldn’t refrain from heralding the new Chairman Trump: “Donald Trump, chairman of the Kennedy Center, is a man with no taste and less integrity, who buried his first wife on a New Jersey golf course. Easily distracted and perpetually bored, Donald Trump has given away the powers of his presidency to Elon Musk, while using the prerogatives of his high office to launch meme coins and install himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center. Donald Trump may soon demand that his slow shuffle and jerky spasms to the songs of ‘The Village People’ tunes be called ballet. When this happens 49% of the country will wear leotards on their heads, and cheer for the most beautiful ballerina in the land — the one dressed like a schlub in an oversized Brioni suit, with a too-long tie made in China. It is in this moment that Trump will do for the arts what Tulsi Gabbard is going to do to the intelligence agencies, RFK is going to do to the public health agencies, Kash Patel is going to do to the FBI, and Pete Hegseth is going to do to the military.”

We all remember how Elon Musk flew to Germany to campaign for the ultra-right wing AfD party in the lead up to their national elections, and how he then flew back to DC to stand beside the Resolute desk and lord it over a seated Trump, with Elon’s son, X, wiping his boogers on the desk and telling Trump his time in the chair was about to end? Well, it happened again — this time in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. According to Leigh Kimmins on The Daily Beast, Trump looked like he was hung out to dry by Musk and Hannity, as they ignored the president, or interrupted him in this high-profile sit-down take-down. Hannity’s softball questions in the Roosevelt Room in the White House briefly became a love-in, but further in it became apparent that the president was being shunted aside, with Musk portraying himself as a hero to save America in his indiscriminate machete-wielding attack on government departments. Trump attempted to chime in about Europe “taking advantage of us,” but bosom-buddy Musk shot him a look in order to keep up his own diatribe. Trump again tried to compliment Musk on his achievements, but was interrupted by Hannity who looked at Musk to ask if he was “trying to be president, as the media suggests.” Another Trump attempt to join in was interrupted by Hannity who wanted to talk to Musk about sending ships to Mars. Their chat rambled on, with Trump blasting left-leaning outlets, and feeding tired, classic lines to his voter base…gotta keep ’em happy, you know! After viewing the interview, Tom Nichols of The Atlantic wrote: “Like many Americans lately, I am seized with curiosity about who is actually running the government of the United States. But I am still not sure who’s in charge.” The official answer from the White House says Trump’s in charge, and that Musk isn’t even in charge of DOGE, or involved in the agency at all — only a “senior adviser to the president with no actual or formal authority to make government decisions himself.” Time to disarm Musk of his machete? Let’s ask Hannity!

Text for a much-needed bumper sticker: MUSK — THE MAN WHO SAVED CANCER! A bill that was up for a 2024 renewal of funding for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program was trimmed of this $190 million amount last year because Elon didn’t like the bipartisan effort under President Obama that established the program. The original bill, as presented by Republicans, included the renewal but Musk and former Republican Leader Eric Cantor drove forces that led to its being cut. Musk showed his cruelty by posting on X, photos of the two versions side by side, captioned “Yesterday’s bill vs today’s bill,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. Ultimately, the House rejected the new bill 174-235, with nearly 30 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it. House Republican Leader Steve Scalise said the same bill will not be brought forward for a vote. Not discouraged by this failure, Musk and his DOGEs have hobbled a federal government facility that does critical research into Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. According to Greg Sargent of The New Republic, the “Trump-Musk cuts” have resulted in the firing of numerous top researchers at the National Institute of Health, “a prediction of big setbacks to fighting dementias.” “The Trump-Musk rationales for deep cuts to spending on medical research are an insultingly ridiculous farce,” Sargent alleges. “Republicans once lavished praise on this research. Trump and Musk are hobbling it. What will those Republicans say now?” Any suggestions, Hannity? How about we start a GoFundMe to buy Musk a seat on his first rocket to Mars — the first Earthling to set foot on the Red Planet — irresistible!

Stephen Miller, Trump’s White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, got some acerbic replies to his post on X directed at his one million followers, when he asked, “Are you enjoying America’s new Golden Age?” The critics seem to think Trump’s term number two is, so far, a case of all glitter and no real gold. Hunter Petro suggests, “Call it the ‘Golden Age’ because it takes a bag of gold bars to afford a dozen eggs,” and Ron Smith offers, “NO, President Musk is a terrible president.” Gojo18 posts a question, “Are we living in the same country?” Eleazar’s Virgins claims, “Yeah, now that USAID has been shuttered, pronouns banned, racists applauded, and water has been poured out of California’s reservoirs, my life is so much better.” Nicadispatch feels as many of us do by requesting, “Let me know when it starts.” Miller, whose title conceals the massive influence he actually commands with Trump and throughout the administration, is helping to drive a maximalist immigration enforcement agenda from which he obviously derives immense sadistic satisfaction. He spearheaded efforts to enact sweeping changes in presidential authority for the dismantling of the federal bureaucracy and to reduce or eliminate entire departments. Miller has worked on his plan for years — prior to his first gig with Trump’s first term — and has now had four years between terms to perfect his plan. He unapologetically pushes traditional boundaries to test the waters, and he avoids the limelight to avoid outshining the boss. In the effort to overwhelm the administration’s opponents, Miller worked to have in place for signatures, on Day One, the dozens of executive orders of which Trump made a spectacle as he signed. “Hello to the Golden Age of America and welcome back Donald J. Trump,” Miller said as he addressed the crowd at Capitol One Arena in DC on inauguration day. “It’s been four long years. It’s felt like 400 years.”  On the other hand, it’s been four long weeks and it seems like 400!