tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post5045161950965017033..comments2024-03-28T19:18:40.387-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: Chaos EverywhereOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-26683012253873468692019-10-09T18:59:06.232-04:002019-10-09T18:59:06.232-04:00Exactly, Cap. Several terms could apply. But one w...Exactly, Cap. Several terms could apply. But one word covers them all -- tyranny.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-83517847240998599522019-10-09T18:28:32.499-04:002019-10-09T18:28:32.499-04:00It's not at all clear to me that the US deserv...It's not at all clear to me that the US deserves to be called a democracy anymore. Five years ago, Profs Gilens and Page pointed out that the US was closer to an oligarchy than a democracy. Today, a single leader sets both domestic and foreign policy and resists all checks on his power. There's a name for that sort of government too.<br /><br />Cap Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-39369003546340421482019-10-09T15:43:30.227-04:002019-10-09T15:43:30.227-04:00History is about the rise and fall of nations, Mou...History is about the rise and fall of nations, Mound. The United States is in decline -- and most Americans don't know it.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-5108320296974009612019-10-09T15:17:01.898-04:002019-10-09T15:17:01.898-04:00Perhaps this is another element of what attends a ...<br />Perhaps this is another element of what attends a nation in decline. We can see parallels between the decline of the British Empire and what is happening south of the border today. Magical thinking, a disconnect from reality, a rise in evangelism, and the late-stage transformation of an economy from agrarian to industrial to financial. Kevin Philips delves into this in his 2005 book, American Theocracy. I think it's a good time to dust off my copy.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-88144975520738410992019-10-09T13:56:47.447-04:002019-10-09T13:56:47.447-04:00Benjamin Franklin warned Americans that they would...Benjamin Franklin warned Americans that they would have to be wise enough to "keep" their republic, Lorne. If they believe that Trump possesses "great and unmatched wisdom," their republic is doomed.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-33396410705932889612019-10-09T13:05:01.703-04:002019-10-09T13:05:01.703-04:00Following up on John B's comment, it is both i...Following up on John B's comment, it is both instructive and horrifying whenever I check reactions to Trump's tweets. While many rightly ridicule him, others stoutly defend and extol him. His base seems to see Trump as the sole protector of all that is good and holy in the Benighted States of America. Lornehttp://politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-72066885969545225072019-10-09T12:50:55.230-04:002019-10-09T12:50:55.230-04:00H.L. Mencken had a word for Trump's base, John...H.L. Mencken had a word for Trump's base, John. He called them "the booboise."Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-21869531556326739862019-10-09T12:33:33.844-04:002019-10-09T12:33:33.844-04:00And nobody will ever get to the voters who form th...And nobody will ever get to the voters who form the base of his support. I suppose this should have been understood long ago in view of the popularity of his moronic TV show. Who's voting now and who isn't? Spiro Agnew was right and mom had it wrong.John B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07402794337521523610noreply@blogger.com