Worth Noting: -more-
President Trump’s recent proposal regarding Gaza, outlined in a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has sparked global outrage. His suggestion that the U.S. should “own” Gaza and develop it into a seaside tourist destination not only disregards Palestinian sovereignty but also perpetuates the ongoing ethnic cleansing of the region’s indigenous population. -more-
Trump ended his first week with the illegal firing of 17 Inspector Generals and ended his second week with the illegal firing of hundreds of FBI agents. Trump also attempted to stifle most federal grants. Although foreign policy hasn’t been Trump’s focus so far, we’ve seen enough to be able to discern major changes. -more-
Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI director is a clear and present danger to democracy. His extreme loyalty to Donald Trump, combined with his questionable actions and beliefs, would make him a disastrous choice for the position. Patel has consistently pushed conspiracy theories, including the false claim that the FBI played a role in the January 6th Capitol attack and that the 2020 election was stolen. He also has ties to far-right extremists and has exhibited a vindictive streak, publicly targeting political opponents and the media. -more-
The future of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is at risk following recent statements and actions by Elon Musk, who claims President Trump has agreed to shut the agency down. Musk, who has inserted himself into the federal government’s workings, has reportedly gained access to sensitive USAID systems, making drastic changes without clear authority. Over the weekend, USAID’s website and social media channels were taken offline, and two top security officials were placed on administrative leave after attempting to block Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing classified information. -more-
Lying may not be unique to human beings. I can vaguely recall seeing an animal documentary, in which some animal essentially lied in specific scenarios--for purposes of survival. I don't recall what animal they were talking about. Cuckoo birds might be one of several examples. Lying in animals will necessarily be hard for people to measure since animals other than humans can't speak English. But apparently, there are methods for a non-human to be deceptive. -more-
gA Letter to Our Misleader -more-
We’re in a mess though there are hours in the day, when things seem so normal that it is hard to absorb that it looks like we are in the middle of a soft coup. -more-
The word on the street is “watch what they do, not what they say”. Except when it’s “believe them when they tell you what they’re going to do”. Or try Dorothy Parker’s phone greeting: “what fresh hell is this?”
Well, when you’re trying to figure out what the hell the new regime in Washington is up to, there’s some visual evidence from the Inauguration ceremony to be considered. I refer, of course, to the hats worn by the first consort and the lady in waiting.
Melania’s peculiar chapeau (are we still allowed to use French?) was clearly inspired by the hat-like decorations worn by ladies of the British royal family to weddings and coronations, often called fascinators. Ivanka’s headpiece was an echt fascinator, perched on the side of her head. Both of them, clearly, are announcing that the Trumps, emulating the Windsors, are a new royal family.
Then there are the DOGEs. Someone who chose that acronym for the administration’s dictators-in -chief must have been thinking of the Italian doges. They were heads of state in the former republics of Venice and Genoa, autocrats, oligarchs, the whole nine yards. Elon Musk is angling for the job it seems.
There are other historic clues about how this wanna-be dynasty sees itself. In the spirit of the late Russian empire, they have their Rasputins, crypto-advisors lurking behind the imperial monarchs and whispering in their ears. The obvious choice for that position is Stephen Miller, who like Rasputin claims a religious justification for his sinister maneuvers, and who cultivates his own acolytes. But coming up by the ruler’s side is Musk, who like Rasputin is more and more inclined to promote a public persona. And seeing Miller and Musk and their ilk crouching at the elbow of their patron, I’m also reminded of Roy Cohn, the sinister lawyer that us old folks remember lurking behind Senator Joseph McCarthy during the televised witch-hunts of the 1950. He later became best buddies with, yes, the young Donald J. Trump.
McCarthy went after the U.S. Army, a trick Trump’s trying now. He’s been quoted as looking for another Roy Cohn to advise him, a consiglieri if you will, kind of like those who advised the Doges in Italy.
The imperial presidency has begun. Those of us who still believe that a democratic republic is the best choice are trying to figure out how to dodge the current administration’s opening salvo.
As Chernyshevsky and Lenin are both reputed to have asked, What Is to Be Done? Both were quoted by the father of a friend of mine, a Petaluma chicken farmer, as believing “the worser the better.” In other words, the worse things got for the poor, the more they would be inclined to support a revolution.
And the abundance of aiders and abeters in this ever-worser regime are called “tsars”, to provide appropriate context.
My friends and colleagues divide into two groups on the question of what to do.
One set has decided to drop out for a while: turn off MSNBC, skip the NYT opinion section, read novels. Others are feverishly doing whatever they can: Letters to Editors, group chats, marches, exchanging academic books on autocracy, the same old stuff.
Is worse really better? Do we have new ideas?
Here are a couple :
How about putting together a shadow cabinet as the British do when their party is out of power? The Democrats, while far from perfect, have a substantial back bench, potentially including congressional experts like Jamie Raskin, a law professor who would make a fine shadow Attorney General without having to relinquish his current post.
For that matter, how about asking Joe Biden to break with tradition and serve a year or two as shadow president? He might be a bit old for another four-year term, but he’s got a few more miles in him. Or maybe Robert Reich could function as a shadow Secretary of Labor. For Health and Human Services, how about Bernie Sanders?
And Paul Krugman’s available for something, isn’t he? Such people could, with the aid of volunteers and interns and perhaps even Democratic Party funding, track the wild and crazy behavior of the Trump dynasty in a systematic way and provide constructive alternatives.
In both houses some of the Dems are now hollering about outrages. It’s a start, but all of these strategies need to reach folks who never read papers and seldom consume social media online, but get their “news” from Fox TV.
Another idea, even more radical, is to find and support a few sensible people, not Democrats, to run in gerrymandered Republican congressional district GOP primaries. There must still be some responsible moderate Republicans out there who now regret voting for Trump, even if the Democratic Party can’t convince them to switch their registration. Worth a try. . . Americans of all stripes are mostly not monarchists yet. Only three more votes are needed in Congress to stop the king's worst excesses.
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Worth Noting:
The planned Sunday pop up at the Ashby Farmer’s Market is canceled and rescheduled for Saturday, February 8 from 10 am – 2 pm. An overview of the updated Bicycle Plan is available online at: https://berkeleybikeplan.altaplanning.cloud/#/home
To give input email: bicycleplan@berkeleyca.gov.
The February 11 regular Council meeting at 6 pm agenda is posted and available for comment.
Is It Coronation Time?
Watch Those Hats
02-05-2025
Trump’s proposal for Gaza met with scorn and outrage Jagjit Singh 02-05-2025
Trump's Second Week Bob Burnett 02-03-2025
Kash Patel, a clear threat to democracy Jagjit Singh 02-03-2025
The Future of USAID in Peril Jagjit Singh 02-03-2025
For People With Psychosis, Lies Are Poiso Jack Bragen 02-05-2025
SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces: Oaths, Oafs & Offenses Gar Smith 02-09-2025
A BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S DIARY, fEB.2, 2025 Kelly Hammargren 02-05-2025
THE BERKELEY ACTIVISTS' CALENDAR, Feb. 9-16 Kelly Hammargren 02-09-2025
THE BERKELEY ACTIVIST'S CALENDAR, Feb. 2-9 Kelly Hammargren 02-01-2025
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