Down in D.C.
It’s the Cruelty, Stupid
“Real power is — I don’t even want to use the word — fear.”
Donald Trump made that remark to the journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa in March 2016. Fear is, of course, a favorite tool of the president-elect. He has used it for decades to intimidate opponents, critics and allies to give up, give in or give way. He built his real estate empire through lawsuits and threats against rivals and partners.
He cowed and demolished political opponents through humiliation and invective. He consolidated control of the Republican Party and silenced G.O.P. detractors with pressure tactics and threats to end careers. And as president, he used the power of the office and the power of social media to make life miserable for anyone he chose.
His goal in these efforts has been to push people to check themselves rather than check his power.
[NYT Editorial Board 1/17/25]
Slithering In
to this Year of the Snake new year’s eve.
A 2025 Guide to Lunar New Year Slithering into the Year of the Snake
Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marking the start of a 15-day celebration that culminates with the Lantern Festival. The holiday, also known as the Spring Festival in China, is observed by millions across East and Southeast Asia, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide.
If Destruction Be Lot, It’s Our Fault
This day being the anniversary of Lincoln’s Lyceum address let’s ponder “The Perpetuation Of Our Political Institutions”:
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.