Yes, the living version of The Emperor's New Clothes is what this past four plus years has felt like to me. What continues to confound is that there are still so many liberals whining about Trump and not waking up. They still peddle the same worn out arguments. How can these people, many of whom are our former colleagues, be so blind?
Ah yes, our former colleagues in the media! 🤣 I'm not in touch with anyone from ProJo but I do see comments and posts from former colleagues at other papers, and just...wow. They are living in a completely different reality.
“Wishful blindness” is a good term. But with all due respect, I think the explanation lies in how successfully the media brainwashed the masses. If something is being knocked into people’s heads relentlessly 24/7, it starts taking effect at some point (Germany in 1930s?). Continuous brutal attacks on Trump and lies eventually caused people to view him not as a human being and feel no empathy when he was hunted like a dog by law-fare and when assassins tried to end his life. That is an effective propagandist trick. I don’t see how half of the country will exit this somnambulistic state of mind. And it certainly will make the second term very difficult for Trump. Along with his own idiosyncrasies, of course. And Trump’s strong sides, like seemingly thick skin, bravery and survival skills, will only entrench his haters in their “wishful blindness”. But then I was born a pessimist!
Trump's term will be good in many ways and sheer buffoonery in many others. But we needed a serious vibe shift, which we're already seeing. Plus, I know of very few societies/ countries like America that have the ability to course correct itself like this country is trying to do right now...
Beautifully done Jenny, And you didn't even mention "sharp as a tack" in the litany of lies spewed by the idiot chorus of media. But wait there's more: warnings about oligarchs by the business partner of the worst on earth, non-US division (Ukraine, Russia, China) and owned asset of the Soros, Sequoia, Blackrock, Gates, etc. US-donor division. And the final pardons still loom...
Oh, I could have gone on for days -- like I said, I didn't even touch on the important stuff!! (I just saw that he's now trying to amend the constitution??)
Excellent description of the way things have played. I live in Wales, UK, yet I could see the corruption and double-talk with Obama and Hillary Clinton. The name Democrat comes from the Socialist ideology.
"When we get ready to take the United States, we will not take it under the label of communism, we will not take it under the label of socialism. These labels are unpleasant to the American people, and have been speared too much. We will take the United States under labels we have made very lovable, we will take it under liberalism, under progressivism, under democracy. But take it we will". - Quote from Alexander Trachtenberg (1885 -1966) at the National Convention of Communist Parties, Madison Square Garden 1944.
Only a few nights ago, I saw and heard him say with a straight face that he was leaving the economy in better shape than it was under Trump. He also warned us to beware of dark money, a week after giving a medal to Soros. Yet just about everyone I know, other than my wife, would have voted for him last November, did vote for Harris, and will vote for Newsom if he runs. As Plato said, "you can't fix stupid".
Amen! loved your singing too. It is very frustrating that none of these people - NONE - of them will be held accountable. It's a slap in the face to those of us who lost friends and family over any of it. One of my kids still believes that if she was in the south and had a miscarriage they would leave her to die in the parking lot. It would be partly my fault for voting for Trump. This was yelled at me less than a month ago. This is a college educated child with a masters in medical ethics for God's sake. I don't even want to think about how many covid shots she's given my 1yr old granddaughter. :( Truly, I feel that our investment in college was a waste. I'm just the retired homeschooling mom who didn't finish college so what do I know.
Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that about your daughter. That is horrible. I've heard so many stories like this, and the hysteria over the abortion issue is insane. I see it all the time. You are not alone. 😔
What a sad and sordid episode the Biden presidency has been. If there are honest chroniclers of this period in our history we will learn the full extent of not only Biden family corruption but also of the Democratic Party writ large. It’s not that there aren’t and haven’t been corrupt actors in both parties and at all levels of government, but chaos and complete moral erosion is what Leftism has always wrought. From the Jacobins to the Bolsheviks, and from the Maoists to the Squad, its compass has always and only been calibrated in the direction of total power at the cost of individual freedom.
Thank you Jenny. Your honest reflection is admirable. I love every word and turn of phrase you used to express yourself in this post. Being able to change one’s perspective based on sensibility a self developed moral core means no one can steal your soul. Your Substack essays give me hope that there are still young women among us who refuse to be part of the group think driven by radical feminists who have little regard for the men in our lives. Your son is lucky to have a mother who considers his place in the world he will live in. The way you reflect and articulate on the Biden administration in this piece shows how mindful you are to the importance of ethics in governing.
Sam Harris has sadly lost it. Despite all his meditation and purported self-reflection he’s become increasingly lacking in self-awareness and capacity to admit he’s got things wrong. He’s never really admitted he got his support for the 2nd Iraq war horribly wrong. He still claims there was nothing that should’ve caused him to be suspicious of Bankman-Fried. He can’t admit that, overall, Musk is clearly a force for the good. And his TDS is of course chronic.
Yes, the living version of The Emperor's New Clothes is what this past four plus years has felt like to me. What continues to confound is that there are still so many liberals whining about Trump and not waking up. They still peddle the same worn out arguments. How can these people, many of whom are our former colleagues, be so blind?
Ah yes, our former colleagues in the media! 🤣 I'm not in touch with anyone from ProJo but I do see comments and posts from former colleagues at other papers, and just...wow. They are living in a completely different reality.
Wilful blindness. Only humans can indulge it and still survive.
“Wishful blindness” is a good term. But with all due respect, I think the explanation lies in how successfully the media brainwashed the masses. If something is being knocked into people’s heads relentlessly 24/7, it starts taking effect at some point (Germany in 1930s?). Continuous brutal attacks on Trump and lies eventually caused people to view him not as a human being and feel no empathy when he was hunted like a dog by law-fare and when assassins tried to end his life. That is an effective propagandist trick. I don’t see how half of the country will exit this somnambulistic state of mind. And it certainly will make the second term very difficult for Trump. Along with his own idiosyncrasies, of course. And Trump’s strong sides, like seemingly thick skin, bravery and survival skills, will only entrench his haters in their “wishful blindness”. But then I was born a pessimist!
From your lips to God's ears
Good points, all. I am an optimist though. :-)
Trump's term will be good in many ways and sheer buffoonery in many others. But we needed a serious vibe shift, which we're already seeing. Plus, I know of very few societies/ countries like America that have the ability to course correct itself like this country is trying to do right now...
For many, willful blindness is how we survive. Cognitive dissonance is nonallowable.
The fundamental rule of deception applies. It’s far easier to deceive a person than it is to convince that same person that they have been deceived.
That photo of Biden during the September, 2022 speech would get an A+ from Leni Riefenstahl.
Beautifully done Jenny, And you didn't even mention "sharp as a tack" in the litany of lies spewed by the idiot chorus of media. But wait there's more: warnings about oligarchs by the business partner of the worst on earth, non-US division (Ukraine, Russia, China) and owned asset of the Soros, Sequoia, Blackrock, Gates, etc. US-donor division. And the final pardons still loom...
Oh, I could have gone on for days -- like I said, I didn't even touch on the important stuff!! (I just saw that he's now trying to amend the constitution??)
Excellent description of the way things have played. I live in Wales, UK, yet I could see the corruption and double-talk with Obama and Hillary Clinton. The name Democrat comes from the Socialist ideology.
"When we get ready to take the United States, we will not take it under the label of communism, we will not take it under the label of socialism. These labels are unpleasant to the American people, and have been speared too much. We will take the United States under labels we have made very lovable, we will take it under liberalism, under progressivism, under democracy. But take it we will". - Quote from Alexander Trachtenberg (1885 -1966) at the National Convention of Communist Parties, Madison Square Garden 1944.
Source: Bella Dodd (1904-1966)
Wow. My god.
Only a few nights ago, I saw and heard him say with a straight face that he was leaving the economy in better shape than it was under Trump. He also warned us to beware of dark money, a week after giving a medal to Soros. Yet just about everyone I know, other than my wife, would have voted for him last November, did vote for Harris, and will vote for Newsom if he runs. As Plato said, "you can't fix stupid".
Cary: You can’t fix stupid. Fortunately ,there were more non stupid people this time around .
Wishful thinking, I am afraid.
Amen! loved your singing too. It is very frustrating that none of these people - NONE - of them will be held accountable. It's a slap in the face to those of us who lost friends and family over any of it. One of my kids still believes that if she was in the south and had a miscarriage they would leave her to die in the parking lot. It would be partly my fault for voting for Trump. This was yelled at me less than a month ago. This is a college educated child with a masters in medical ethics for God's sake. I don't even want to think about how many covid shots she's given my 1yr old granddaughter. :( Truly, I feel that our investment in college was a waste. I'm just the retired homeschooling mom who didn't finish college so what do I know.
Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that about your daughter. That is horrible. I've heard so many stories like this, and the hysteria over the abortion issue is insane. I see it all the time. You are not alone. 😔
Yes, so many families.
You know a lot. She has missed the boat.
Agreed!!
That was awesome!
What a sad and sordid episode the Biden presidency has been. If there are honest chroniclers of this period in our history we will learn the full extent of not only Biden family corruption but also of the Democratic Party writ large. It’s not that there aren’t and haven’t been corrupt actors in both parties and at all levels of government, but chaos and complete moral erosion is what Leftism has always wrought. From the Jacobins to the Bolsheviks, and from the Maoists to the Squad, its compass has always and only been calibrated in the direction of total power at the cost of individual freedom.
Yes.
Once you turned, your instincts and your analysis were spot on every time! They still are! Great, sad read, thanks. Lest we forget.
We need to pray for President Trump and his entire administration as they take on this formidable task. God bless America.
Thank you Jenny. Your honest reflection is admirable. I love every word and turn of phrase you used to express yourself in this post. Being able to change one’s perspective based on sensibility a self developed moral core means no one can steal your soul. Your Substack essays give me hope that there are still young women among us who refuse to be part of the group think driven by radical feminists who have little regard for the men in our lives. Your son is lucky to have a mother who considers his place in the world he will live in. The way you reflect and articulate on the Biden administration in this piece shows how mindful you are to the importance of ethics in governing.
Thank you very much -- this is a very generous comment.
Witty, acerbic, hilarious! My favorite qualities.
Why thank you. They are my favourite qualities too, so that is very high praise.🤣
Sam Harris has sadly lost it. Despite all his meditation and purported self-reflection he’s become increasingly lacking in self-awareness and capacity to admit he’s got things wrong. He’s never really admitted he got his support for the 2nd Iraq war horribly wrong. He still claims there was nothing that should’ve caused him to be suspicious of Bankman-Fried. He can’t admit that, overall, Musk is clearly a force for the good. And his TDS is of course chronic.
Jordan Peterson summed it up perfectly when he said SH was like a bright 14 year old. Epic burn.
Jen Rubin was unavailable for comment.
🤣
Hear, Hear! What a Tour de Force, Jenny!! You nailed this period of time perfectly. Thank you! 🙏
Yes!!! 😊👍👌