My old business partner came up with a number of notable witticisms, one of which I think of as the “reverse Voltaire”: “I may agree with what you say but I deny to the death your right to say it”. That was largely the reaction of the editors of the New York Times to President Trump’s 2019 State of the Union message:
Mr. Trump’s soothing message, in short, was wholly at odds with the acrid reality of how he has governed. In that way, the entire spectacle — reflected in the vibrating hostility between the two sides trapped together in the House chamber — evinced the true state of the union: fractured, fractious, painfully dysfunctional.
The State of the Union address is one of those moments that allows Mr. Trump to play the role of president, with pomp, standing ovations and, sweeter still, a captive audience of his opponents. Even Mr. Trump grasps that, for this one night, he is called upon to rise above partisanship and address the entire nation rather than merely his rump political base.
Beyond the general theme, he nonetheless failed this challenge.
The president, facing several investigations and a Democratic House determined to hold him to account, called for an end to “ridiculous partisan investigations.â€
“If there is going to be peace and legislation,†the president said, “there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn’t work that way!â€
[…]
If Mr. Trump’s words ring hollow, his actions still matter enormously. Given how bitterly divided the government is, how wounded and uneasy the nation is, it’s impossible not to cling to a hope that he might yet rise to the office and do something for his fellow Americans. But, rather than wait for that to happen, the wisest course for citizens interested in a stronger union is to focus on building it themselves.
Shorter: never Trump.
“But, rather than wait for that to happen, the wisest course for citizens interested in a stronger union is to focus on building it themselves.”
Wow, Trump has turned the NYT editors into Libertarians.
In today’s world SOTU addresses are just political acts. That goal was accomplished.
It should be no surprise that the NYT, CNN, WaPo and all the rest of the old biddies were non-plussed. Has Adam Schiff figured out a way to turn something he said into an argument for impeachment?
Not libertarians but minarchists which is even weirder.
” called for an end to “ridiculous partisan investigations.â€
This from the party that conducted 8 separate investigations on Benghazi? LOL
Steve
I want to commend Donald Trump for being the single biggest catalyst in America for the growing socialist movement. His attack on it not only demonstrates that capital is aware of its legitimacy crisis, but will only have served to motivate more Americans to learn about it and embrace it. I could not have asked for more.
You run with that, Ben. Let’s let the Democrats/socialists run on infanticide, unchecked immigration, 70% tax rates, wholesale takeover of health care. It will work out marvelously. At least steve will love being a federal employee.
Ben,
I think you’re probably right, but, IMO, it’s not something to celebrate. I do not want to be forced into a binary choice between Trump-style crony capitalism and socialism.